Cost Segment

Technology Pathway/Sub-item

Cost Range (CNY)

Primary Data Source & Notes

Hydrogen Production Cost

Coal-based Hydrogen (Gray)

10 - 15/kg

IEA (2023). The Future of Hydrogen, Table 4.2. China-specific cost range.

Natural Gas-based Hydrogen (Gray)

12 - 20/kg

China Hydrogen Alliance (2022). White Paper on China’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Industry.

Industrial By-Product H2 (Purified)

8 - 15/kg

BNEF (2024). Hydrogen Market Outlook: 1H 2024. Assumes proximity to offtake.

Alkaline Water Electrolysis (Green)

20 - 35/kg

IEA (2024). Global Hydrogen Review 2024, Fig. 1.14. Assumes renewable electricity at 0.2-0.3 CNY/kWh.

PEM Water Electrolysis (Green)

30 - 50/kg

Same as above. Higher capex leads to increased cost.

Storage & Transportation Cost

High-Pressure Gaseous Transport

1.5 - 3.0/kg・100km

IRENA (2022). Geopolitics of the Energy Transformation, p.87. For 20 MPa tube trailer.

Liquid Hydrogen Transport

4 - 8/kg・100km

U.S. DOE (2022). Hydrogen Shot Technology Assessment. For distances >500km.

Pipeline Transmission (Repurposed/New)

0.3 - 1.0/kg・100km

Hydrogen Council (2021). Hydrogen Insights 2021. Highly scale-dependent.

Refueling Cost

Station Construction (500kg/day)

8 - 15 million /station

China Hydrogen Alliance (2022) White Paper. Excludes land cost.

Station Operation & Maintenance

5 - 10/kg dispensed

Industry expert estimates compiled by BNEF.

Terminal H2 Selling Price (Station)

30 - 70/kg

Derived from production, distribution, and station OPEX plus margin. Highly policy-dependent.

Vehicle Purchase Cost

Fuel Cell System

~3000 - 4500 /kW

U.S. DOE (2023). Hydrogen Program Record 23011. High-volume projection for 2025.

49-ton Fuel Cell Heavy-Duty Truck

~1.5 - 2.0 million /vehicle

Author’s model based on component cost breakdown from Table 3.