Chengdu has been officially selected to participate in a national hydrogen energy comprehensive application pilot program, marking a significant step for the city's rapidly expanding industry. The initiative, announced jointly by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, the Ministry of Finance, and the National Development and Reform Commission, grants approval to five urban clusters for a four-year trial period. This includes the Xinjiang-Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, positioning Chengdu, Deyang, and Panzhihua as key nodes responsible for advancing fuel cell vehicle adoption, breakthroughs in critical technologies, and innovative application scenarios.

As a core engine of the Chengdu-Chongqing Economic Circle, Chengdu is leveraging its strengths in technological innovation and high-end equipment manufacturing to develop a complete hydrogen ecosystem. This ecosystem spans the entire chain from fundamental research and technology development to industrial transformation and practical application. The city is creating a positive feedback loop where large-scale end-user adoption drives improvements in the industry's supply side. Data from the Chengdu Municipal Economic and Information Technology Bureau shows that the city is now home to over 100 hydrogen energy companies, including 51 above-designated-size industrial firms, 65 national high-tech enterprises, 11 national specialized and innovative "little giant" companies, and 7 publicly listed companies. In 2025, the sector’s revenue for these industrial companies reached ¥19.06 billion, achieving an impressive compound annual growth rate of 18% over the past five years. This performance has cemented Chengdu’s position in the top tier of China's hydrogen energy industry, giving it a distinct competitive edge in revenue growth, core equipment manufacturing, and multi-scenario demonstration projects.

The city’s technological prowess is underscored by significant breakthroughs from leading players. More than 30 universities and national research institutions, along with over 50 academicians and experts, are fostering innovation, supported by 16 high-level platforms such as the National Hydrogen Storage, Transportation and Refueling Equipment Technology Innovation Center. Dongfang Hydrogen has launched a 500-standard-cubic-meter PEM hydrogen production product, while a team led by Academician Xie Heping, in collaboration with Dongfang Electric, completed the world's first pilot project for direct seawater electrolysis for hydrogen production without desalination. Houpu Clean Energy has also made strides by breaking international monopolies with its hydrogen refueling guns and mass flow meters, and its 70MPa ultra-high-pressure equipment is now used in refueling scenarios for hydrogen-powered aircraft.

The application of hydrogen energy in Chengdu is expanding across a wide array of sectors, moving from public roads to special industrial uses. The city has deployed nearly 1,500 hydrogen fuel cell commercial vehicles, which have collectively logged over 5.5 million kilometers. Eight hydrogen refueling stations, each with a daily capacity exceeding 500 kilograms, serve six key districts. The "Hydrogen Corridor" connecting Chengdu and Chongqing is thriving, with 41 jointly built refueling stations and over 2,000 fuel cell vehicles in operation, handling an annual cargo volume exceeding 220 million tons. The economic benefits for heavy-duty trucks are clear: a round trip from Chengdu to Panzhihua costs less than ¥1,300 in fuel, saving ¥600-800 compared to a diesel truck. When combined with Sichuan province's policy of free highway tolls for hydrogen vehicles, each trip saves an additional ¥1,800, resulting in total savings of ¥2,400 per journey. This compelling economic case is shifting the market from policy-driven to spontaneous adoption.

The so-called "Hydrogen Horses," a form of hydrogen-powered two-wheeler, have become a common sight, with 15,000 units in operation, the largest fleet of its kind in China. These locally made vehicles are not only being used in the Hailuogou scenic area but have also secured an order of 10,000 units for export to the European Union and the Middle East this year. The railway sector is also seeing progress, with Rongchuang Innovation's hydrogen fuel cell power systems holding over 80% of the domestic market for hydrogen rail transit vehicles, and the country's first commercial hydrogen locomotive already operating in Liupanshui, Guizhou. In the skies, Shudao Group's hydrogen-powered drones are being piloted for road inspection duties.

Looking ahead, the national hydrogen energy market is projected to exceed ¥1 trillion by the end of the 15th Five-Year Plan period. A representative from the Chengdu Economic and Information Technology Bureau stated that the city will leverage its national pilot status to accelerate high-quality development. The strategy involves focusing on the entire industry chain, with particular attention to fuel cell vehicles, green ammonia, hydrogen-blended combustion, and other innovative application scenarios, ensuring Chengdu remains at the forefront of this energy transition.