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Aiwanger calls for a hydrogen offensive: Bavaria wants to get started!
Bavaria's Economics Minister Aiwanger discusses hydrogen funding for decarbonization and criticizes the traffic light government's delays.
Aiwanger calls for a hydrogen offensive: Bavaria wants to get started!
On June 12, 2025, Bavaria's Economics Minister Hubert Aiwanger spoke with Federal Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder about supporting the German hydrogen industry. Aiwanger emphasized the great importance of hydrogen production for the decarbonization of transport. He expressed sharp criticism of the traffic light government, which he blames for ideological reservations and delays in hydrogen projects.
During the conversation, Aiwanger named several important projects for Bavaria that are urgently awaiting support. One of these projects is the Hydrogen Technology and User Center (WTAZ) in Pfeffenhausen, which is waiting for a funding decision. The federal government has provided 72.5 million euros for this and Bavaria has provided 30 million euros, although construction could start in 2026. He also spoke about the IPCEI project BMW HyPowerDrive, for which confirmation of the originally planned funding is pending. The EU Commission has already approved 273 million euros here, while the planned funding from the federal government and Bavaria is to be provided in a ratio of 70:30.
Funding programs and policy proposals
Aiwanger also called for the funding programs for hydrogen commercial vehicles and buses to be resumed. Bavaria plans to provide up to 220 million euros for electrolyzers and H2 filling stations in order to significantly expand the infrastructure. Another important point of the conversation was the importance of autonomous driving for Bavarian industry, which is seen in the broader context of the transport revolution.
The discussions also discussed the switch from truck traffic to rail, as well as problems with block handling and the northern access to the Brenner. Aiwanger spoke about the approval of EcoDuo long trucks and the need to promote hydrogen drives in rail transport. The discussion about these topics shows how crucial the challenges in the transport sector are for the Bavarian economy and how they are linked to the transition to sustainable energy.
For a deeper insight into existing funding instruments in the area of hydrogen, we recommend taking a look at the overview from lenk.bayern.de, which provides a comprehensive overview of financial support and strategies in this area.