China unveils first cross-region hydrogen truck corridor
China Petrochemical Corporation (Sinopec Group), China’s largest oil refiner, has officially launched the country’s first cross-regional hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck route, signalling a major step forward in the nation’s hydrogen energy development.
The newly operational corridor covers 1,150 kilometres, linking Chongqing Municipality in the southwest to Qinzhou Port in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, passing through Guizhou Province. The route is already in use for regular freight services using hydrogen-powered heavy-duty lorries.
Four hydrogen refuelling stations, constructed by Sinopec, have been strategically installed along the route to ensure uninterrupted hydrogen supply. The corridor passes through areas with abundant hydrogen resources and large-scale hydrogen production capabilities, including water electrolysis and ammonia decomposition technologies.
The regions along the route collectively produce more than 400,000 tonnes of industrial by-product hydrogen annually—enough to fuel up to 360,000 hydrogen-powered logistics vehicles.
Beyond transportation, the hydrogen corridor is expected to facilitate economic integration across the region. It is projected to transport around 220,000 cargo units annually in both directions.
The launch underscores China’s commitment to sustainable transport and its push to develop hydrogen as a clean energy source, particularly in the western part of the country.
