With the rise of major sustainable construction projects, the building and public works sector is turning towards eco-friendly solutions—among them, hydrogen. Thanks to its flexibility and performance, hydrogen is emerging as a promising alternative to electric power in reducing CO₂ emissions. Already adopted by leading industry players, hydrogen has the potential to transform tomorrow's construction sites.

One of hydrogen’s key advantages is its ability to offer autonomy comparable to fossil fuels without producing harmful emissions. Hydrogen can be used in fuel cells that convert it into electricity, emitting only water vapour. Several companies have already developed hydrogen-powered construction machinery prototypes capable of operating for hours without recharging. This solution is particularly attractive to manufacturers, as it could significantly enhance efficiency and productivity on worksites. Currently in development, these product lines are expected to hit the market by 2026 and align with brands’ decarbonisation strategies.

According to a study by the International Energy Agency (IEA), hydrogen could meet up to 18% of global energy demand by 2050. Hydrogen engines are especially promising for heavy-duty machines such as excavators and construction lorries. Philippe Boucly, President of France Hydrogène, describes hydrogen as “the best of both worlds,” combining the strengths of electric power and fossil fuels in terms of range and speed. This advantageous technology would complement electric motorisation strategies for different types of construction machinery.

"We all need to sit down at the table together, energy providers must produce hydrogen under good conditions, and equipment manufacturers must commit to reducing prices. When France’s hydrogen strategy was published in 2020, €7.2 billion were pledged, and an additional €1.9 billion was added under the France 2030 plan. Hydrogen is the best of both worlds — between the thermal world we’ve known and the electric world — since it combines the cleanliness of electric with the speed and autonomy of fossil fuels"
Philippe Boucly
Prresident of France Hydrogene 
PHILIPPE BOUCLY
"We believe hydrogen will truly become a product for our customers aiming for climate neutrality in the future. There won’t be a single path to carbon neutrality. Hydrogen will play a key role, especially for 20 to 30-ton machines"
Markus Müller
Dr.Marcus Müller, Chief Technology Officer at Dutz AG 
marcus muller

Technical and financial challenges to overcome

Despite progress, the cost of hydrogen remains a major barrier. The INTERMAT trade show, held from 24 to 27 April 2024 at Paris Nord Villepinte Exhibition Centre, brought together key stakeholders from the construction sector. This edition highlighted the challenges involved in hydrogen development. These issues were discussed by Bruno Munier, Performance Equipment Director for the South-East Region at Colas; Yann Dubosc, Mayor of Bussy-Saint-Georges and President of EPAMARNE; Markus Müller, Chief Technology Officer at Deutz AG; and Philippe Boucly, President of France Hydrogène, on the industry TV set. One clear takeaway: vehicles and machines equipped with fuel cells are still significantly more expensive than traditional equipment.

Markus Müller from Deutz AG emphasised that cost reduction will depend on streamlined administration and government subsidies. The production cost of green hydrogen—currently estimated at €5–6 per kilogram—must also decrease to compete with hydrogen from fossil fuels, which costs around €1.50–3 per kilogram. To make hydrogen more accessible, several initiatives are under way. For example, the European H2Global project aims to create an international hydrogen market, potentially reducing production costs and boosting adoption.

Hydrogen stations are currently being developed in the Île-de-France region and Dunkirk to supply clean energy to construction sites and urban fleets. According to the French Association for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (AFHYPAC), France already has over 30 hydrogen stations and plans to add several dozen more by 2030. However, these initiatives require major investments to build viable infrastructure. In Europe, hydrogen-related investments are expected to reach €470 billion by 2050, according to the EU Hydrogen Strategy.

This includes not only refuelling stations but also green hydrogen production facilities powered by renewable sources such as wind and solar energy.At the roundtable, Yann Dubosc, Mayor of Bussy-Saint-Georges, stressed the importance of “green” hydrogen, which is produced without carbon emissions. For hydrogen to become a standard option on worksites, production must be ramped up.

Decarbonising with Hydrogen

Discover our latest video from the BFM TV – INTERMAT 2024 stage: “Decarbonising with Hydrogen”. An in-depth analysis of the challenges and solutions involved in making this emerging energy source a key asset in the energy transition of construction sites.

Subsidised motorisation to accelerate uptake

During this discussion, Philippe Boucly, President of France Hydrogène, reiterated the French government’s financial commitment: over €10 billion allocated to hydrogen sector development. While these funds primarily support production, a shift towards end-user support—following Germany’s example—would be crucial to speed up adoption.

Germany has already implemented subsidy programmes that have enabled the rapid uptake of hydrogen technologies, especially in the transport and logistics sectors. Companies like Engie and Air Liquide are also offering leasing solutions for hydrogen equipment, allowing firms to reduce their upfront investment while accessing clean technologies. Hydrogen offers an innovative answer to the environmental challenges facing the construction and public works sector.

Joint efforts from businesses and public authorities will be key to overcoming current obstacles and establishing hydrogen as a must-have energy source in the years ahead. Future worksites could thus benefit from a clean and sustainable energy supply, contributing to climate action and decarbonisation goals.As infrastructure develops and costs decrease, hydrogen could well power the transformation of tomorrow’s construction sites.

Deepen your understanding of the challenges facing the construction and public works sector at INTERMAT, from 21 to 24 April 2027.

moteur-a-hydrogene
infographie-hydrogene-uk
"Green hydrogen is mostly defined by how it’s produced — that’s what determines whether it’s grey or green. The challenge is bringing hydrogen to construction sites. We already have it, particularly on logistics platforms with small hydrogen stations powered by cylinders"
Yann Dubosc
Mayor of Bussy-Saint-Georges, Departmental Councilor for Seine-et-Marne and President of EPAMARNE
yann dubosc
"As soon as you need power, battery electric hits a limit. In the medium term, we’ll need something else. Possibly hydrogen. Colas has major ambitions for decarbonization. On our worksites, we need machines that are operational — both in terms of delivery logistics and autonomy during work"
Bruno Munier
Director of Equipment Performance for the Southeast Region at Colas
bruno munier

Sources:

  • International Energy Agency (IEA)
  • French Association for Hydrogen and Fuel Cells (AFHYPAC)
  • European Union – Hydrogen Strategy
  • Deutz AG
  • H2Global
  • Engie and Air Liquide
  • H2 Ouest project

INTERMAT 2024 - THE END
Electrification: a key challenge for the future of sustainable construction