TU Delft scientist: hydrogen cars are far from over

Hydrogen cars are dead — or so it seems. Battery-electric vehicles have largely won the market, backed by subsidies, expanding charging infrastructure and falling prices. But Aad Correljé, energy expert at Delft University of Technology, urges restraint. "The question of what the optimal technology is, is actually nonsensical," he says. "Technologies develop side by side and compete with each other."

How green hydrogen works

Correljé explains that sustainable hydrogen is produced in two steps. First, renewable electricity is generated — via wind, solar or hydropower. That electricity is then converted into hydrogen through electrolysis. This requires roughly 50 kWh per kilogram of hydrogen, which contains about 33 kWh of energy — meaning an efficiency loss of 20 to 30 percent. Efficiency could potentially improve to 80 percent in the future. Hydrogen can also be converted into synthetic methane via the Sabatier reaction, opening up applications beyond mobility.

The chicken-and-egg problem

Infrastructure remains the central challenge. The Netherlands currently has 23 public hydrogen filling stations. While 30 new stations for heavy transport are under development, the rollout for passenger vehicles lags far behind. The reason is classic: no stations without enough cars, and no cars without enough stations. Correljé diagnoses the problem clearly: "The earlier framework was somewhat premature for a system and market that still needs to develop entirely."

The Dutch government is trying to break this deadlock with the SWIM subsidy scheme (Waterstof in Mobiliteit). In 2026, the scheme was expanded to cover mobile hydrogen storage, tube trailers and equipment. Previous rounds in 2024 and 2025 distributed 72 million euros across 19 collaborative partnerships.

Grid congestion as an unexpected opportunity

Ironically, problems with the electricity grid could give hydrogen a new boost. Installing public chargers requires grid reinforcement — expensive and slow. As Correljé notes, grid congestion will continue to hinder the large-scale rollout of electric vehicles for some time. This is exactly where hydrogen can step in, particularly for applications where electric charging is impractical: heavy transport, shipping and aviation.

Niches will grow

Correljé does not expect a dramatic shift, but does foresee a gradual advance: "I expect hydrogen solutions to slowly but surely gain ground in specific applications. Niches will form, with a suitable supply chain responding to them." His message to policymakers and investors is clear: keep investing in infrastructure, because chance and innovation ultimately determine the direction.

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Sources:

- Autoblog.nl – interview with Aad Correljé, TU Delft (25 April 2026)

- RVO.nl – SWIM subsidy scheme 2026

- BOVAG – SWIM opens 1 April 2026

- Link2fleet – Does hydrogen really have a future? (April 2026)