Hydrogen Buses Market Outlook (2023 to 2033)

According to the research conducted by Future Market Insights, the hydrogen buses market is anticipated to rise at an astronomical CAGR of 31% during the forecast period. As per market estimates, the industry is likely to be worth USD 12,558.5 Million by 2033, up from USD 831 Million in 2023. Some of the prominent factors propelling the global hydrogen buses industry are:

  • Rising concerns pertaining to the surging level of air pollution which is propelling the demand for eco-friendly alternatives to public transport vehicles, such as hydrogen fuel cell buses.
  • Growing demand for environment-friendly, energy-efficient vehicles, which have zero emissions and offer a quick refuel system, is providing impetus to the market growth.
  • Increasing initiatives by government bodies to promote vehicles that lower oil dependency, and offer heightened safety, are propelling the demand for hydrogen buses.
  • Accelerating the adoption of green hydrogen to deeply decarbonize difficult-to-abate gases emitted from multiple industries, including the heavy transportation industry, is also increasing the operation of hydrogen buses.
  • Growing intrigue and demand for smooth traveling experience provided by hydrogen fuel cell buses. These buses have extra comfort systems for drivers and passengers.
Attribute Details
Hydrogen Buses Industry Size (2023) USD 831 Million
Hydrogen Buses Industry Forecast Value (2033) USD 12,558.5 Million
Hydrogen Buses Industry CAGR 31%

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Development of Hydrogen Charging Infrastructure Presenting Profitable Growth Prospects for the Market Operators

Continuous development and supply of hydrogen buses via collaboration with local and central governments are expected to create opportunities for the players operating in the hydrogen buses market.

Many players are planning on extending their hydrogen-powered vehicles portfolio to go beyond hydrogen-powered buses. For example, Hyundai Motor Group aims to use hydrogen fuel cells in large vessels, Urban Air Mobility (UAM), and railways. Several players in the market are also actively participating in the development of hydrogen charging infrastructures to widen the market for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Glimpses of the Historical Market Scenario and Current Growth Indicators

The global hydrogen buses market grew from USD 311.8 Million to USD 641.1 Million between 2018 and 2022. The market witnessed healthy growth in recent years on account of an increase in the price of diesel and petrol.

This gave rise to the demand for alternative, fuel-efficient automobiles, such as hydrogen fuel cell buses. Further, the increasing interest in sustainable vehicles that release zero emissions and help curb the density of pollution in the air, especially in emerging economies, is creating lucrative opportunities for the key players.

Going forward, the market for hydrogen buses is estimated to attain USD 831 Million in 2023. Further, the market is assessed to grow at a meteoric CAGR of 31% between 2023 and 2033, to exceed USD 12,558.5 Million by 2033 end.

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Nikhil Kaitwade

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Country-wise Insights

Latest EV innovations in Germany to Substantiate its Leading Position

Europe is projected to attain a dominant share of the hydrogen buses market over the forecast period. One of the significant growth-inducing factors in the market is the high count of major hydrogen-powered bus manufacturers.

Additionally, the heightened awareness regarding the availability of the latest EV technologies and the increasing adoption of passenger hydrogen vehicles in the European region is propelling the market expansion of hydrogen buses.

Germany is forecast to demonstrate its significance in the sphere of hydrogen buses over the anticipated period and emerge as a major market worldwide. Recently, Ebusco supplied its first 90 Ebusco buses to the biggest public transport company in Germany. Competitors in the market are expected to follow suit so that companies can provide climate-neutral services across longer distances.

North America Emphasizing Sustainable Transportation

Surging agreements between companies pertaining to the supply of hydrogen-stored cylinders for hydrogen buses are favorably impacting the USA hydrogen buses market. For instance, New Flyer Canada ULC, North America’s biggest mass mobility solutions provider, and New Flyer of America Inc., partnered with Hexagon Purus for the second consecutive year to supply hydrogen storage cylinders for zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell e-transit buses, which comes under the category of Xcelsior Charge H2 of New Flyer, in 2022. The high-pressure hydrogen stored cylinders will enable a driving range of over 350 miles/ 560 km in one refueling session.

New Flyer has been playing an active role in making transportation in North America emission-free by encouraging the growth of sustainable buses and their infrastructure across Canada and the USA In a mere one year, i.e., 2021, Hexagon Purus provided hydrogen systems/ cylinders for approximately 30 fuel cell buses of New Flyer. The collaboration of New Flyer and Hexagon Purus has been propelling the growth of hydrogen buses in North America.

Asia Pacific to Witness Fastest Growth

The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to witness the fastest growth over the forthcoming years. The robust growth in the region can be credited to rapid population growth, rising demand for passenger buses, and swiftly expanding production scale, which are all propelling market expansion for hydrogen buses in the region.

India Hydrogen Buses Market Outlook

Increasing government initiatives to realize the ‘Hydrogen Vision’ of the country to develop a self-reliant India by meeting weather change goals, creating employment in the respective sector, and promoting the adoption of clean energy, are collectively driving the hydrogen buses market in India. In August 2022, India’s first-ever indigenously produced Hydrogen fuel cell bus, backed by the Union Minister of State for Science and Technology, was revealed in Pune. The rising demand for eco-friendly modes of transportation is projected to facilitate the Indian hydrogen buses market in the coming years.

Hydrogen Buses Market in China

As per the estimates released by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM), China manufactured 1,742 units of hydrogen fuel cell automotive in 2021, an increase of 48.2% y-o-y. In the same year, 1,586 units of these vehicles were sold, representing an increase of 34.7% y-o-y. The growing demand for hydrogen fuel cell buses due to their high reliability, ability to be quickly refueled with hydrogen, and continuous and consistent driving capacity over long distances is resulting in a positive market outlook for hydrogen buses in China.

Japan Hydrogen Buses Industry

The hydrogen buses market in Japan is being stimulated by the favorable actions taken by the government to tackle global warming. For instance, Tokyo Metropolitan Government is promoting the use of hydrogen as a renewable energy source to charge vehicles, thus accomplishing the process of decarbonizing society. Tokyo, in partnership with the Fukushima region, intends to outfit 300+ buses with hydrogen fuel cells by 2030 end, thus making hydrogen-powered buses a norm in Tokyo.

South Korea Hydrogen Buses Market Outlook

With state funding of over 300 million won, South Korea’s Ministry of Environment has entered into a cooperation agreement with Hyundai Motor, Busan City, South Gyeongsang Province, and Ulsan City to adopt hydrogen buses. Additionally, in an initiative to achieve net zero CO2 emissions by 2050, Seoul, South Korea’s capital, is increasing the adoption of hydrogen and e-buses.

The capital is dedicated to operating over 1,000 hydrogen-powered buses and constructing 11 hydrogen charging stations by 2025 end. The aforementioned developments in South Korea are expected to propel market expansion over the forecast period.

Category-wise Insights

Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell to Observe Rapid Demand

The proton exchange membrane fuel cell technology is projected to witness tremendous growth over the forecast period. The swift growth of this segment can be attributed to its ability to convert chemical energy into electrical energy. This technology is suitable for fuel cell automotive and is the most requested fuel cell in the EV industry.

<150 kW Power Output to Dominate the Hydrogen Buses Landscape

Based on power output, the <150 kW segment is forecast to grow at a rapid pace over the coming years. Fuel cells with a power output of less than 150 kW are highly requested in passenger vehicles, industrial cars, and buses. Thus, the increasing number of these automotive is rapidly propelling the sales rate of <150 kW fuel cells, consequently dominating the global market share.

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Top Start-ups to Keep an Eye on

Start-up Company Hydrolux
Country Canada
Description Hydrolux offers hydrogen-powered buses, trucks, cars, and forklifts. The startup’s vehicles combine the low weight of vehicles running on diesel with the advantages of EVs.
Start-up Company NanoSUN
Country Britain
Description The startup delivers solutions for hydrogen refueling. The FillSafe Fuelling Hoses developed by NanoSUN provide high-pressure refueling of EVs powered by hydrogen. These solutions are cost-effective, easy to use and install and prevent over-pressurization.
Start-up Company Hymotiv
Country India
Description Hymotiv produces a hydrogen fuel cell EV. The technology utilized by the company includes hydrogen-propelled automobile propulsion systems, which can be retrofitted into fossil fuel-based vehicles. These systems enable clean and green energy solutions for heavy-duty vehicles, and passenger cars, as well as energy storage.
Start-up Company KEYOU
Country Germany
Description KEYOU manufactures new engines for brand-new commercial vehicles. For this, the startup procures a base engine from OEM and reengineers it to make it run on hydrogen.

Product Innovation is to Start-ups what Partnership with Governments is to Established Players

With numerous players competing to bag a large share, the market is likely to remain fragmented over the forecast period. Since hydrogen buses have witnessed a rapid evolution in recent times, there is a high scope for innovation.

With the assistance of advanced technologies, market players further get an edge to project their products in the best light. As a result, product innovation is the default move of new players to compete with established players.

While the automotive sector stays guarded heavily with government compliance on reducing CO2 emissions, market players formulate strategies to work towards clean mobility. This trend is highly dominant among players operating in developed countries, especially European ones. All-in-all, new players ride on the waves of technology to strengthen their market hold and catapult towards advancement, while the established players seek to extend their services with the government and bring their products into the market on a large scale.

Recent developments that are shaping up the hydrogen buses market include:

  • In September 2022, Solaris revealed its Urbino 18 hydrogen bus. This articulated model is second in line in Solaris’s zero-emission portfolio. With this launch, the company aims to provide its clients with zero-emission vehicles.
  • In July 2022, Iveco announced its intention to produce 3,000+ zero and low-emission buses over the coming years.
  • In June 2021, one of the largest commercial vehicle companies and major bus manufacturers in India, Tata Motors, revealed that it has received a tender from Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) to deliver 15 hydrogen-powered Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) fuel cell buses.
  • In June 2021, Hyundai Motor announced that it has begun the testing of hydrogen fuel cell buses in the European region, which will help develop the vehicles further, to meet the requirements of European customers.

Some of the key companies proliferating in the market are

  • Tata Motors Limited
  • Thor Industries
  • Hyundai
  • Ballard Power Systems
  • NovaBus Corporation
  • New Flyer Industries Ltd
  • EvoBus
  • New Flyer
  • Hino Motors Ltd.
  • SunLine Transit Agency

Hydrogen Buses Industry report scope

Attribute Details
Forecast period 2023 to 2033
Historical data available for 2018 to 2022
Industry analysis USD Million in value
Key regions covered North America; Latin America; Eastern Europe; Western Europe; East Asia; South Asia & Pacific; Middle East and Africa
Key countries covered USA, Germany, France, Italy, Canada, The United Kingdom, Spain, China, India, Australia
Key segments covered By Technology, By Power Output, By Transit Bus Models, Region
Key companies profiled Tata Motors Limited; Thor Industries; Hyundai; Ballard Power Systems; NovaBus Corporation; New Flyer Industries Ltd; EvoBus; New Flyer; Hino Motors Ltd.; SunLine Transit Agency
Report Coverage Industry Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Industry Dynamics, Challenges, Competitive Landscape, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis, Strategic Growth Initiatives
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Hydrogen Buses Industry Segmentation by Category

By Technology:

  • Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
  • Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
  • Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells
  • Zinc-Air Fuel Cells
  • Solid Oxide Fuel Cells

By Power Output:

  • <150 kW
  • 150–250 kW
  • >250 kW

By Transit Bus Models:

  • 30-Foot Transit Buses
  • 40-Foot Transit Buses
  • 60-Foot Transit Buses

By Region:

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • East Asia
  • Eastern Europe
  • Western Europe
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa

Frequently Asked Questions

How Big is the Hydrogen Buses Industry?

The hydrogen buses industry size is assessed to be USD 831 Million in 2023.

At What Rate is the Hydrogen Buses Industry Expected to Rise?

The hydrogen buses industry is expected to rapidly rise at a CAGR of 31% during the forecast period.

What is the Demand Outlook Forecast for the Hydrogen Buses Industry?

The global hydrogen buses industry is forecast to surpass USD 12,558.5 Million by 2033.

Which Region is a Major Contributor to Market Growth?

Europe is the major contributor to the market growth of hydrogen buses.

Table of Content
	1. Executive Summary 
	2. Market Overview
	3. Market Background
	4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033
	5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Technology
		5.1. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
		5.2. Direct Methanol Fuel Cells
		5.3. Phosphoric Acid Fuel Cells
		5.4. Zinc-Air Fuel Cells
		5.5. Solid Oxide Fuel Cells
	6. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Power Output
		6.1. <150 KW
		6.2. 150–250 KW
		6.3. >250 KW
	7. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Transit Bus Models
		7.1. 30-Foot Transit Buses
		7.2. 40-Foot Transit Buses
		7.3. 60-Foot Transit Buses
	8. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Region
		8.1. North America
		8.2. Latin America
		8.3. Europe
		8.4. Asia Pacific
		8.5. Middle East and Africa (MEA)
	9. North America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	10. Latin America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	11. Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	12. Asia Pacific Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	13. MEA Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country
	14. Key Countries Market Analysis
	15. Market Structure Analysis
	16. Competition Analysis
		16.1. Tata Motors Limited
		16.2. Thor Industries
		16.3. Hyundai
		16.4. New Flyer Industries Ltd
		16.5. Ballard Power Systems
		16.6. NovaBus Corporation
		16.7. EvoBus
		16.8. Toyota Motor Corporation
		16.9. Hino Motors Ltd.
		16.10. SunLine Transit Agency
	17. Assumptions & Acronyms Used
	18. Research Methodology
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