Overview of hydrogen and fuel cell developments in China

This is a comprehensive report published by By Holland Innovation Network China , Bente Verheul - January 2019. Extracts:

This report presents the outcome of a study on hydrogen developments in China, performed by Bente Verheul, on behalf of the Holland Innovation Network in China. China’s initial interest in hydrogen comes from the automotive sector. China has established the largest NEV market worldwide and continues to foster the development of this sector. Aside for battery electric vehicles (BEV), also fuel cell vehicles are of importance. National and local policies set ambitious targets for the roll-out of hydrogen refueling stations (HRS) and the development of core technologies. In 2018, the fiscal subsidy policies for NEVs has been adjusted in favor of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and large SOEs in the energy production sector, equipment manufacturing and automotive sector jointly established the China Hydrogen Alliance. China has invested heavily in R&D related to PEM fuel cells and highquality fuel cell power systems are produced in China by Re-Fire and SinoHytec using foreign fuel cell stacks. In 2018, China has put large fleets of FCEVs on the streets in Shanghai, Beijing, Zhengzhou, Foshan, Yancheng and Chengdu. Domestic companies are making progress in reducing platinum dosage in fuel cells (one of the main cost drivers) and are getting closer to international levels. China is initially focusing on fuel cell buses and commercial vehicles to improve public awareness, by gradually showcasing the safety of hydrogen as these vehicles require lower pressure storage tanks (35 MPa) than passenger cars. The 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing and Zhangjiakou are an important target moment for China to showcase FCEVs, pushing the sector developments to a next level. Hydrogen and fuel cells research in China began in the 1950s by the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics (DICP), mainly focused on applications for space programs. In the late 1980s the National Hi-Tech Research and Development Program (“863”) was launched to accelerate research-based technology commercialization in which several fuel cell and hydrogen technology projects are incorporated. Similarly, in 1997 the Basic Research Program (“973”) started, through which also government funding is made available for hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. 

Further Reading: The Development Trends of Fuel Cell Technologies Based on Patent Analysis, 

https://www.e3s-conferences.org/articles/e3sconf/pdf/2019/62/e3sconf_icbte2019_02007.pdf