Low-cost Public H2 refueling station

By project UNIFHY

Published on 28 March 2025

Czech Republic

Moravskoslezsko

About this good practice

In June 2022, Vítkovice, a.s. officially opened the first public hydrogen filling station in the Czech Republic. Filling station is located in the national industrial heritage area, which is a newly work as a regional centre for technical education and popularization hydrogen technologies, indeed in close proximity to the company Vítkovice production site in City of Ostrava.
The station covers approximately 90 m² and is designed for hydrogen-powered passenger vehicles, offering refuelling at 700 bar. The station, which was developed with a crucial focus on energy efficiency, required only two months to build and commission. Thanks to a design focus on reducing OPEX by up to 70% compared to larger stations and a focus on functionality, it operates with low energy consumption by exclusion of secondary operating systems i.e. hydrogen active cooling and using advanced compression technology, offering a cost-effective solution for the early adoption of hydrogen technologies. The station consists of three key components: a durable 7.26 m³ hydrogen ultra-high pressure storage tank, a compressor, and a dispenser. It has the capacity to refuel approximately 8-10 vehicles per day, with the potential to expand to 40 vehicles daily by increasing the storage capacity. This small-scale station was developed with the goal of promoting hydrogen usage in daily practice, especially for company fleets and individual car owners.

Expert opinion

Moravian-Silesian Region is heavily oriented towards heavy industry, resulting in the development of a hydrogen strategy with a particular orientation towards industry, but also hydrogen mobility. This first hydrogen fuelling station provides a reference point for the region and aims to facilitate the adoption of hydrogen vehicles. By focusing on a design that can reduce operational costs, the station also demonstrates significant cost savings over traditional fuel. The practice is fully aligned with EU policy goals for transport decarbonisation, and can inspire other regions looking for their first step in hydrogen refuelling.

Simon Hunkin

Works at Interreg Europe Policy Learning Platform

Resources needed

The total investment for the hydrogen station was 600.000 €, which covered the installation of the storage tanks, compressor, and refuelling equipment.

Evidence of success

The hydrogen refuelling station marks a milestone in Czech hydrogen infrastructure, enabling vehicle refuelling in Ostrava and supporting national and regional decarbonization goals. The station has served over 100 hydrogen vehicles in a year (2024). Using renewable hydrogen can save 9 tonnes of CO2 eq. (based on 150gCO2 eq./km of conventional vehicles). At full capacity, potential emmision reduction reach 197 kt, representing a cost of great €305 per tonne of CO2 eq. over 10 years of operation.

Potential for learning or transfer

The MSR is working to establish an effective model for supporting innovative hydrogen technologies using the JTF. While this good practice has not yet been publicly funded, it has clearly defined an implementation framework for transfer to other MSR locations, the EU, and project partner regions. By focusing on reducing installation costs, success relies on the lowest public resource allocation and a clearly defined technological path to develop the necessary infrastructure. The practice’s transferability is strengthened by its implementation advantages and the availability of detailed information for authorities setting future funding schemes. The "Mesh Solution" funding programme has already attracted interest from Central European regions, particularly post-coal and industrial areas. Key factors for successful transfer include strong political support, clear eligibility criteria for beneficiaries, and integration with existing regional innovation strategies.