Trump Breathes New Life Into Old Green Hydrogen Dreams

The resurgence of interest in green hydrogen has been catalysed by geopolitical tensions, particularly US President Donald Trump’s aggressive stance towards Iran, which has disrupted global fuel markets and prompted nations to seek alternative energy sources. Japan, long committed to the vision of a “hydrogen society,” is accelerating its efforts through new international partnerships and infrastructure projects. Notably, Japan has formed a green hydrogen alliance with New Zealand, leveraging the latter’s abundant renewable resources to support a planned hydrogen-powered freight corridor between Fukushima and Fukuoka prefectures. The concept of a hydrogen society involves widespread use of hydrogen across various sectors, including transportation, industry, and residential applications. While hydrogen has been used industrially for decades, the challenge lies in producing sustainable green hydrogen at scale, as most current supplies are derived from fossil fuels. Japan’s domestic green hydrogen industry has developed slowly, but recent collaborations, such as the Japan-New Zealand Hydrogen Corridor, aim to boost production through renewable-powered electrolysis. The Japan Hydrogen Association has outlined a phased plan to introduce hydrogen fuel cell trucks on the Fukushima-Fukuoka route, starting with a small fleet by 2031 and expanding to over 1,000 vehicles by 2032. Automotive manufacturers remain pivotal in advancing hydrogen fuel cell technology, particularly for heavy-duty trucks where fuel cells offer advantages over battery electric vehicles in terms of range and refuelling speed. Toyota has been a persistent advocate for fuel cell vehicles and green hydrogen, with early projects dating back to 2015. Collaborations between major industry players—including Toyota, Daimler, Mitsubishi FUSO, and Volvo—are underway to develop fuel cell trucks and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines. These efforts underscore the potential for hydrogen to play a significant role in decarbonising freight transport in Japan and beyond. In contrast, green hydrogen development in the United States has faced setbacks under Trump’s administration, which cut funding for the Biden-era Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs programme. This $7 billion initiative, part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aimed to expand renewable hydrogen production but was stalled by budget reviews and legal challenges. Several states have sued to recover the funds, reflecting ongoing political and legal battles over the future of hydrogen policy in the US. Despite these obstacles, the broader momentum for green hydrogen remains strong internationally, with long-term prospects for growth beyond the current political landscape.