Hydrogen tank lifespan raises costs; Netherlands probes greenhouse use

Hydrogen fuel‑cell cars are confronting a costly obstacle: the high‑pressure tanks that store hydrogen are subject to a 15‑20‑year lifespan under UN/ECE 134 regulations. Replacing these carbon‑fiber composite tanks can cost tens of thousands of euros, often exceeding the residual value of early models such as the Toyota Mirai and Hyundai ix35. The problem is compounded by a sparse refuelling network—just 23 stations in the Netherlands—and very low sales, with only one Mirai sold last year.

At the same time, the Dutch greenhouse (glastuinbouw) sector is assessing hydrogen as part of its future energy mix. On 10 September, Kas als Energiebron and BlueTerra hosted a hybrid session to explore hydrogen’s competitiveness against alternatives like natural‑gas cogeneration, waste heat, heat pumps and electrification. The agenda covered green and blue hydrogen market developments, stationary fuel‑cell technologies, and insights from ongoing projects, aiming to define conditions under which hydrogen could become a viable option for growers.