Hydrogen is starting to carve out a clear role in the Alps, where steep gradients, long distances and sub-zero temperatures can quickly chip away at battery range. HYmpulsion - the regional hydrogen mobility developer in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes - says demand from heavy and intensive transport is now driving a clearer case for fuel-cell vehicles in mountain regions.
Why hydrogen suits Alpine duty cycles
According to HYmpulsion, battery-electric vehicles have cemented their position in cities, but cold weather, constant climbing and regenerative-braking limits make life harder in the mountains. For operators running heavy-duty or high-power vehicles, the company argues that hydrogen offers predictable range and rapid refuelling, especially during winter peaks.
The firm points to its early experience in Savoie and Haute-Savoie, where buses, vans and municipal fleets have already been trialled on steep routes that challenge conventional BEVs.
Building a network for high-demand mobility
HYmpulsion began work on an Alpine hydrogen corridor in 2020 with its first station in Chambéry. That site is expected to close in 2025, with a higher-capacity replacement planned for 2027.
Since then, the network has grown to include stations in Moûtiers and Annecy, with a fourth site scheduled to open in February 2026 at Vougy as part of the Arv’Hy project. By 2027, that will bring the total to four stations across Savoie and Haute-Savoie.
The company says the aim is simple: make hydrogen fuelling accessible enough that private operators and public fleets can adopt the technology without having to build bespoke infrastructure of their own.
Hydrogen infrastructure and the 2030 Winter Olympics
The 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games loom large in regional planning. The French Alps are preparing for tens of thousands of daily passenger movements between widely spread venues, and local authorities are under pressure to minimise environmental impact.
HYmpulsion says hydrogen is being considered a leading zero-emission option for intensive inter-venue transport, with its expanding station network forming part of those preparations. The company frames the investment as helping support the region’s image, sustainability goals, and the practical realities of moving people at altitude in winter.
Further details on the Olympic deployment strategy are expected closer to 2026.
