[Exclusive] Hydrogen Refueling Station Subsidies Segmented into 7 Levels, New Mobile and Manufactured Types Established

Ministry of Environment Reviews Efficient Distribution Plans for Hydrogen Charging Stations
Subsidy Types Expanded from 3 to 7
New Subsidies Established for Mobile and Manufacturing Charging Stations Previously Unsupported

The government is subdividing the subsidy payment method for hydrogen charging stations. As hydrogen mobility diversifies, the introduction of subsidies for 'mobile' and 'manufacturing-type' charging stations is also being considered.

According to a report by Asia Economy on the 6th, the Ministry of Environment has decided to reform the subsidy system to efficiently distribute hydrogen charging stations. To this end, a research project was commissioned through the Korea Environment Corporation in September last year, and the results were received last month, with detailed matters currently being coordinated.

The Ministry of Environment will first subdivide the hydrogen charging station subsidies from the existing 3 types to 7 types. Currently, subsidies for hydrogen charging stations are only available for general, special, and liquefied types. Among these, the special charging station subsidy will be further divided into general and large. The special charging station subsidy was fixed at 6 billion KRW for every 2 stations, but going forward, the special general subsidy will be 6 billion KRW for every 2 stations, and the special large subsidy will be 10 billion KRW for every 4 stations.

The mobile hydrogen charging station, first introduced by Hyundai Motor Company in October 2022, will also be added as a subsidy target. Mobile hydrogen charging stations are considered a key technology for the spread of hydrogen vehicles because they can efficiently supply hydrogen to areas lacking infrastructure. The subsidy amount is set at up to 1.5 billion KRW, which is half of the 3 billion KRW subsidy for general charging stations.

A new subsidy for manufacturing-type hydrogen charging stations will also be created. Manufacturing-type hydrogen charging stations produce and supply hydrogen on-site. Unlike storage-type charging stations that bring hydrogen from elsewhere, they have the advantage of being efficient due to lower transportation costs. The subsidy for manufacturing-type hydrogen charging stations is likely to be 1 billion KRW for every 2 general-type stations and up to 2 billion KRW per forklift-type station.

National Assembly Hydrogen Charging Station. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

There will be two types of national funding support methods. Currently, storage-type charging stations receive up to 70% of national funding, with the remaining 30% borne by local governments or private operators. However, for manufacturing-type charging stations, the plan is to provide full national funding to encourage their spread. In particular, since hydrogen forklifts are essential to the government's mid- to long-term plan for a 'zero-emission logistics complex,' dedicated charging station subsidies will be fully supported.

A government official said, "We will review the research results and consider whether to disclose them within this year," adding, "If necessary, additional review work may be conducted during next year."