Six Chinese State-Owned Giants Launch National Hydrogen Vehicle Supply Chain Alliance to Accelerate Industry Integration

China has officially launched a new national initiative aimed at strengthening the country's hydrogen fuel cell vehicle industry through deeper collaboration across the entire value chain.

During the New Energy Intelligent Vehicle Modern Industrial Chain Collaboration Conference held on July 12, the Hydrogen Vehicle Supply Chain Collaboration Initiative (officially referred to as the Hydrogen Vehicle Co-Chain Project) was formally inaugurated.

The initiative brings together six major central state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to establish a coordinated industrial platform covering hydrogen production, storage, transportation, refueling infrastructure, vehicle manufacturing and commercial operation.

The founding organizations include China Energy Investment Corporation (CHN Energy), China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec), China FAW Group Co., Ltd. (FAW Group), China Automotive Technology and Research Center Co., Ltd. (CATARC), Sinomach (China National Machinery Industry Corporation) and China Logistics Group Co., Ltd.

The alliance is designed to strengthen coordination across China's hydrogen vehicle ecosystem while accelerating commercialization and improving supply chain resilience.

Three Strategic Priorities

According to the joint initiative released during the launch ceremony, participating organizations will focus on three strategic priorities.

Building a Secure and Integrated Hydrogen Supply Chain

The initiative aims to support China's national carbon neutrality strategy by integrating high-quality industrial resources and addressing key technological bottlenecks.

A major objective is to establish a complete industrial loop covering hydrogen production, storage, transportation, refueling and vehicle deployment while creating long-term supply security and flexible resource allocation mechanisms to support the sustainable development of China's fuel cell vehicle sector.

Accelerating Commercial Deployment and Cost Reduction

The partners will jointly advance technologies including green hydrogen production, high-pressure hydrogen storage and transport, fuel cell commercial vehicles, testing and certification.

They also plan to expand hydrogen applications in logistics, heavy-duty trucking and public transportation by coordinating hydrogen production bases, nationwide refueling infrastructure and integrated vehicle operation services.

The initiative seeks to reduce total lifecycle costs through large-scale deployment while establishing commercially viable business models that can be replicated nationwide.

Creating an Open Industrial Ecosystem

The alliance also emphasizes resource sharing and industry-wide collaboration.

Members will promote data sharing across the hydrogen value chain, mutual recognition of testing and certification results, and closer cooperation on standards development. The initiative further aims to strengthen international technical exchange and commercial cooperation while building a long-term partnership mechanism based on shared benefits and shared responsibilities.

Supporting China's 2030 Hydrogen Vehicle Targets

China's hydrogen mobility industry has expanded rapidly in recent years.

By the end of 2025, cumulative fuel cell vehicle sales in China had approached 40,000 units, while 574 hydrogen refueling stations had entered operation nationwide with a combined refueling capacity exceeding 360 tonnes per day, maintaining China's position as the world's largest hydrogen refueling network.

Policy support has also continued to strengthen. In March 2026, China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), Ministry of Finance (MOF) and National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) jointly launched the Hydrogen Comprehensive Application Pilot Program, setting a target of doubling the country's fuel cell vehicle fleet from 2025 levels to exceed 100,000 vehicles by 2030.

Industry observers believe the establishment of the new SOE-led collaboration platform could significantly improve coordination between hydrogen production, infrastructure development, vehicle manufacturing and logistics operations. Leveraging the extensive resources of China's central state-owned enterprises is expected to accelerate large-scale commercial deployment and provide strong support for achieving the country's long-term hydrogen mobility objectives.

About the Founding Organizations

China Energy Investment Corporation (CHN Energy)
 

CHN Energy is the world's largest coal producer and one of China's leading integrated energy companies, with businesses spanning coal, power generation, transportation and chemicals. In recent years, the company has accelerated investments in renewable hydrogen production and hydrogen transportation applications as part of China's energy transition.

China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation (Sinopec)
 

Sinopec is one of the world's largest integrated energy and chemical companies and has become China's leading developer of hydrogen refueling infrastructure. The company is rapidly expanding green hydrogen production projects and aims to build a nationwide hydrogen supply network supporting industrial and mobility applications.

China FAW Group Co., Ltd. (FAW Group)
 

Founded in 1953, FAW Group is one of China's oldest and largest automobile manufacturers, producing passenger cars, commercial vehicles and buses under multiple brands. The company is actively developing hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles as part of its new energy vehicle strategy.