Hydrogen Infrastructure Breakthrough: MB Energy and Hypion Launch 2-Tonne Truck Refuelling Station in Lübeck
MB Energy and Hypion are building a large-scale hydrogen refuelling station in Lübeck, backed by €5.1M in state funding, to serve heavy-duty trucks and boost zero-emission freight.
Hydrogen infrastructure is making big moves in northern Germany. MB Energy Holding GmbH & Co. KG—formerly known as Mabanaft—just got the official thumbs-up to build a state-of-the-art hydrogen refuelling station near Lübeck. It's a huge win for the region and a clear signal that hydrogen is stepping into the freight spotlight.
Lübeck Gets a Hydrogen Power-Up
Slated to go live by late 2025, the new station will pump out up to 2,000 kilograms of hydrogen a day—enough to top off around 50 heavy-duty trucks daily. Built in collaboration with hydrogen experts Hypion GmbH, it’s getting a financial boost too, pulling in €5.1 million from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Transport through the KsNI programme.
Strategically located just off the A1/A20 junction near Lübeck, the station gives direct access to major freight routes, especially the critical corridor connecting Germany with Scandinavia via the Fehmarnbelt link. For Lübeck—a city rooted in trade since Hanseatic times and still a logistics heavyweight—it’s a natural next step in a long legacy of transport leadership.
A Key Piece of the Green Transport Puzzle
This isn’t just another fuelling station—it’s a linchpin in Europe’s push to decarbonise freight. Thanks to the EU’s Alternative Fuels Infrastructure Regulation (AFIR), hydrogen stations like this one are a must every 200 km along key freight routes by 2030. Projects like Lübeck’s are making that mandate real.
Purpose-built for heavy-duty logistics, the station will serve as a go-to spot for both regional and long-haul operators. Even better? It’s joining the tankpool24 network, which has over 750 truck fuelling points dotted across Germany. That means operators can seamlessly add hydrogen stops into their existing routines—no extra hoops to jump through. It’s the kind of convenience that makes transitioning to sustainable energy more than just a good idea—it makes it practical.
Bigger Than Just a Pilot
This isn’t a test run or a token gesture; it’s full-scale, ready-for-market hydrogen infrastructure. Hypion already dipped its toes in with the Neumünster station, but Lübeck ramps things up several notches. It’s built for volume, built for reliability, and most importantly, built to deliver on the promise of zero-emission technology right now—not some far-off future.
And let’s not forget the local impact. Beyond reducing emissions, this project will create jobs during both construction and operation. It’ll also help develop local expertise in hydrogen tech, bringing long-term economic value to the region.
Of course, there's still one major puzzle piece needed: making sure we’ve got enough green hydrogen to fill these stations. That means scaling up electrolysis powered by renewables. The good news? Germany’s already leading that charge across Europe.
Where Business Meets Smart Policy
MB Energy isn’t entering this space on a whim. As a big player in commercial fuels, expanding into hydrogen is a smart play that fits perfectly within its shift toward industrial decarbonisation and sustainable mobility. It’s not just keeping pace with future policies—it’s staying ahead of the curve.
And with Hypion as a partner, the technical side is in good hands. From concept to permits to build-out, they’re ensuring this station isn’t just another idea on paper—it’s shovel-ready and full steam ahead. Construction’s expected to kick off soon, showing that this isn’t just talk—it’s momentum in action.
Zooming Out: What Comes Next
Step back for a moment, and the bigger picture starts to emerge: this isn’t just about one fuelling station in Lübeck. It’s about Germany—and all of Europe—getting serious about building a real-deal hydrogen economy. One that’s vital to slashing emissions not just on roads, but across industry and power sectors too.
For hauliers running routes between Hamburg and Copenhagen or Berlin and Malmö, knowing there’s a reliable hydrogen stop in Lübeck could be the thing that tips the scale towards zero-emission technology. Infrastructure builds confidence. Confidence fuels adoption. And that’s how we get to cleaner, smarter transport.
About MB Energy
MB Energy Holding GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Hamburg and formerly operating as Mabanaft, is a major energy player specialising in the import, distribution, and marketing of petroleum, biofuels, green hydrogen, and e-fuels. With a footprint that includes more than 300 fuel stations and deep ties to the commercial transport sector, the company is doubling down on the future of freight—with sustainability at the center of that vision.
