Chongqing – The New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor (ILSTC) launched its 1,150-kilometer «Hydrogen Corridor» in Southwest China on Tuesday, making it the first cross-regional hydrogen truck line in China.
Ten hydrogen-powered trucks are departing from Chongqing, carrying goods like laptops, automobile parts, and low-risk chemicals to Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Malaysia.
The corridor is designed to tackle long-distance and high-altitude transport challenges. With a steep climb of over 650 meters, the Baise to Guiyang section in this corridor is among the country’s most difficult hydrogen truck test routes.
«Japan was a pioneer in applying hydrogen energy, and now China is catching up. Hydrogen vehicles have been in development for over a decade,» said Sun Qian, Assistant President of Meijin Energy.
Hydrogen trucks are lining up for departure at Chongqing Dry Port. (Photo/Huan Ran)
Meijin Energy, the hydrogen fuel supplier for this route, is one of China’s largest private producers of commercial coke and coking coal, and a key player in the hydrogen energy industry.
Sun added that Chongqing is crucial to this effort, playing a key role in supporting the entire hydrogen energy industry chain. Chongqing boasts abundant natural gas and shale gas resources, providing ample raw materials for hydrogen production. With companies like Changan Automobile and Qingling Motors developing and launching hydrogen-powered vehicles, Chongqing offers vast opportunities for hydrogen energy applications.
Bosch Hydrogen Powertrain Systems Chongqing Co., Ltd. is a joint venture between German engineering giant Bosch and Chongqing-based premium commercial vehicle manufacturer Qingling Motors. The company has launched several hydrogen-powered products designed for a range of commercial vehicle needs, including urban transport, logistics, and long-distance medium and heavy-duty transportation.
«Chongqing, as the logistics hub of the ILSTC, has promoted four hydrogen refueling stations along this line, with six more planned for the year. The city is also working to synchronize hydrogen pricing policies along the corridor to reduce operating costs,» said Cai Zhan, director of the Highway Logistics Department of the Port Logistics Office of the Chongqing Municipal Government
The next phase will expand short—and medium-haul logistics centered on Chongqing, Lanzhou, Xi’an, Chengdu, and more. By 2027, over 1,500 hydrogen trucks will operate along these routes, cutting carbon emissions by 200,000 tons annually, Cai added.
(Huan Ran, as an intern, also contributed to the report.)
Source: ichongqing.info
