Planned Development for a New Gas Station on the A8 Highway
Ulm, Germany, is set to join the ranks of hydrogen mobility pioneers with the construction of a "filling station of the future." The decision to proceed with the project was confirmed by the Ulm/Neu-Ulm urban development association on 30 April 2025, and the final award was made on 24 July 2025.
The land allocation procedure for the filling station in Ulm is based on the "Ulmer allocation" model, prioritizing quality and sustainability over price. This forward-thinking approach reflects Ulm's commitment to creating a functional and ecologically high-quality overall concept that can adapt to changing technological and societal conditions.
The fuel mix at the filling station will cater to the needs of Ulm's companies in the battery and fuel cell research sectors. The planned facility will include electric charging facilities, hydrogen refueling stations, a photovoltaic system, and future-proof energy and building technology.
The new filling station's location in the Himmelweiler district was chosen to fulfill important prerequisites for successful operation. Its strategic position ensures optimal traffic accessibility, especially for heavy goods traffic and logistics companies. The commissioning of all areas of the new filling station is scheduled for mid-2027.
In Germany, hydrogen refuelling infrastructure is advancing rapidly. Projects like the Düsseldorf station, led by H2 MOBILITY, feature cutting-edge technology, multi-vehicle capacity, and integrated hydrogen production. These developments suggest that the Ulm project will follow similar technological innovations and integration concepts.
Mayor Martin Ansbacher describes the Ulm project as bold, innovative, and a unique undertaking nationwide. The city's main committee adopted the evaluation criteria for the project in February 2024, focusing on regionality, energy concept, CO2 balance, resource conservation, renewable energy use (especially photovoltaics), and green hydrogen supply.
The filling station will be designed to sell new fuels as they establish themselves. It will offer modern drive technologies such as electricity and hydrogen in addition to traditional fuels for cars and trucks. The aim is to ensure a reliable supply of low-emission or emission-free drive fuels for both individual users and companies.
The contract for the construction of the filling station was awarded to Golsner & Lutzenberger GbR from Günzburg, one of four bids received by the city. The "Ulmer allocation" model demonstrates that Ulm's land policy is effective, as stated by Mayor Ansbacher.
The "filling station of the future" project in Ulm is another unique selling point for the city, setting a pace in this area. It underscores Ulm's commitment to sustainable development and its role as a hub for innovative technologies in the transport sector.
- Ulm's commitment to environmental-science, demonstrated by the construction of a hydrogen mobility pioneer filling station, continues to push the boundaries of science, aiming to address climate-change through renewable energy use such as photovoltaics and green hydrogen supply.
- With modern drive technologies like electricity and hydrogen on offer, the new filling station in Ulm not only caters to traditional fuels but also positions itself as a facilitator of alternative options like climate-change mitigation through hydrogen fuel, making sports vehicles more sustainable.
- As advancements in technology, like the cutting-edge Düsseldorf station, make hydrogen refueling infrastructure more prevalent in Germany, Ulm, as a hydrogen mobility pioneer, embraces these technological innovations, demonstrating its role as a leader in both environmental-science and sports vehicle technology.
