A bus tops up on hydrogen at the hydrogen refueling station in Optics Valley on Jan 6. [Photo/WeChat account of Optics Valley of China]

Construction recently concluded on the first phase of the Tielong hydrogen refueling station, the first of its kind located within Wuhan's Third Ring Road. The station was put into trial operation on Jan 6 in Optics Valley (East Lake High-tech Development Zone), and it is expected to go into formal operation before March 1.

This facility is the only one in Wuhan to provide refueling stations for oil-, electricity- and hydrogen-powered vehicles.

It is the fifth hydrogen refueling station that has been built in Wuhan. Next to the station, there is an electric vehicle charging station and a gas station.

Preparation for the station began in 2018, and construction commenced on May 1, 2020.

Once fully completed, the total daily hydrogen refueling capacity of the station should be 1,000 kilograms. The daily capacity of the project's first phase is 500 kg, which can meet the demand of 50 large hydrogen logistics vehicles or large hydrogen buses over 12 hours.

Wuhan was one of China's first cities to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology and demonstrate its operational capabilities.

As a result, the planning and construction of many hydrogen refueling stations have begun in the city. At present, there are 58 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles in Wuhan.