Discussion on WardsAuto Podcast: Potential Future of Hydrogen Fuel in the Trump Administration
The Trump administration's policies have significantly affected the development of hydrogen fuel-cell technology, particularly in the trucking industry. The administration's actions, such as cutting or restricting federal clean energy funding, eliminating key tax incentives, and prioritising fossil fuels over clean energy projects, created financial and regulatory uncertainty that hindered investment and development in hydrogen fuel-cell technologies.
One of the most notable changes was the elimination of federal tax incentives for new hydrogen projects starting in 2028 with the passing of the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) under Trump. This act also imposed restrictions that complicated project financing, despite some extensions of existing credits through 2029. This created a shrinking federal support pipeline for hydrogen projects.
The Department of Energy under Trump also canceled billions in funding for clean energy projects, including hydrogen hubs. This directly affected development initiatives like California’s hydrogen hub, which had to increasingly rely on state-level support rather than federal aid.
Several companies, including Bosch, suspended hydrogen fuel cell investments, citing market changes influenced by administration policies and unfavourable conditions such as tariffs and inflation, which were exacerbated by reduced government incentives.
The Trump administration's policies also enacted shifts that favoured fossil fuels and blocked or weakened renewable energy tax credits. This further disadvantaged hydrogen and other clean energy sectors by raising costs and creating uncertainty for long-term investments.
Although the OBBBA brought some regulatory clarity for hydrogen fuel-cell technology after being passed in mid-2025, concerns remain about the shrinking availability of zero-carbon electricity needed for green hydrogen production and the lack of ongoing federal incentives to accelerate trucking industry adoption.
While the future of hydrogen in the U.S. during the Trump era is a topic of discussion among industry experts, it's important to note that hydrogen energy development is happening globally, with Europe and Asia also investing in hydrogen energy for energy independence.
Tom Stephenson, chairman of Pajarito Powder, a tech supplier to hydrogen fuel-cell manufacturers, discusses the future of hydrogen in the Trump era with Senior Editor David Kiley. Despite President Donald Trump's public skepticism about hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles, it's clear that green hydrogen production and distribution are being developed beyond just vehicles, with investments being made for trucking, stationery fuel-cell power, and aviation.
In contrast to the Trump administration's policies, some states like California have doubled down on hydrogen independently. Trump's statements about hydrogen vehicles lack substance and are not based on informed credibility.
[^1]: [Source 1] [^2]: [Source 2] [^3]: [Source 3] [^4]: [Source 4] [^5]: [Source 5]
- The policies of the Trump administration, particularly the elimination of federal tax incentives for new hydrogen projects and the cancellation of funding for clean energy projects like hydrogen hubs, negatively impacted the finance and investment landscape for vehicle technology, specifically hydrogen fuel-cell technology, in the trucking industry.
- The unfavorable conditions created by the Trump administration's policies, such as tariffs, inflation, and the shift towards fossil fuels, resulted in some companies, such as Bosch, suspending investments in hydrogen fuel cell technology.
- The Trump administration's policies, including the enactment of shifts that favored fossil fuels and blocked or weakened renewable energy tax credits, created uncertainty and disadvantaged the hydrogen and other clean energy sectors, particularly in terms of finance and long-term investments.
