.jpg)
Backed by massive investments from Chinese companies, China’s hydrogen sector is growing rapidly. (Photo: iStock)
China’s dominance in clean energy now extends beyond solar photovoltaics. According to Japanese research firm Astamuse, Chinese companies have taken the global lead in low-carbon hydrogen-related patents, surpassing Japan.
As green hydrogen applications in transportation continue to draw attention, senior executives at Japanese auto giant Toyota warn that without increased investment from other countries, China could soon control the global hydrogen vehicle supply chain.
China overtakes Japan in green hydrogen patents
Astamuse analyzed 180,000 patents related to green hydrogen filed between 2013 and 2022, scoring them across five key areas: production, storage, transport and supply, safety management, and end use. The results show that Chinese firms ranked first in overall competitiveness and in each of the first four categories.
In comparison, a previous study analyzing 140,000 patents from 2011 to 2020 ranked Japan first, followed by China. However, since China announced its carbon peak targets in 2020, it has filed twice as many green hydrogen patents annually as Japan.
In 2022, China unveiled a national hydrogen strategy that elevated hydrogen to the same level of importance as renewable energy. The plan aimed to raise annual green hydrogen production to 100,000–200,000 tons by 2025—targets that have already been surpassed. While Japan launched its hydrogen strategy earlier, China’s rapid investments have propelled its hydrogen industry forward at remarkable speed.
The large number of patents has driven down the cost of hydrogen production equipment in China to just a quarter of that in Europe. This cost advantage has spurred local demand. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), China is the world’s largest hydrogen market, accounting for 30% of global demand.
.jpg)
Chinese solar giant Longi eyes on green hydrogen growth. (Photo: Longi)
Chinese solar giants expand into hydrogen
Zhang Xiaoguang, Chief Advisor at Daiwa Research Institute, notes that Chinese companies are expanding capacity primarily to capture market share, not for immediate profit. Leveraging their strengths in the solar and wind sectors, companies like LONGi and Sungrow are pushing into the green hydrogen space.
This momentum could soon extend to hydrogen-powered vehicles. Mitsumasa Yamagata, President of Toyota’s Hydrogen Business Unit, points out that China already has a leading edge in hydrogen truck infrastructure and that hydrogen fuel costs there are just one-third of those in Japan. If other countries don’t step up their investments, Chinese firms could dominate the hydrogen vehicle supply chain—just as they have with electric vehicles.
In response, Japan is offering subsidies to offset the cost gap between hydrogen and fossil fuels. It is also collaborating with the United States and South Korea on advanced hydrogen technologies. Meanwhile, the European Union is considering restrictions on Chinese components in hydrogen projects to safeguard its domestic industries.
Source: Nikkei Asia, Financial Times
.jpg)
