Hydrogen is gaining momentum in heavy-duty transport and broader industrial applications, with manufacturers positioning fuel cells alongside battery-electric vehicles rather than as a universal replacement. China is moving from demonstration projects toward industrialization: its hydrogen fuel-cell truck fleet exceeded 15,000 units in 2024, alkaline electrolysis accounts for more than 92% of its electrolyzer-equipment market, and policy is expanding into chemicals, steel, power generation, shipping and energy storage. China aims to reduce average end-user hydrogen prices below 25 yuan, approximately $3.7, per kilogram by 2030. In South Korea, Hyundai Motor signed a multilateral memorandum of understanding with Sunjin Group, Hynet and the Korea Automobile Environmental Association to expand hydrogen mobility infrastructure. Sunjin, which operates about 1,700 buses, plans to introduce 480 hydrogen buses by 2032 and convert CNG stations at its Gimpo and Paju depots into hydrogen refueling facilities. Hyundai’s Xcient fuel-cell trucks have logged more than 21.8 million kilometers across 175 vehicles in five European countries, while Toyota plans to supply its third-generation fuel-cell system for 40 Scania heavy-duty trucks and is co-developing trucks with Iveco. Daimler Truck is preparing the liquid-hydrogen Mercedes-Benz NextGen H2 truck for journeys exceeding 1,000 kilometers on one refueling while expanding electric trucks and improving diesel efficiency. The Korea Hydrogen Alliance’s 2026 Korea-China Hydrogen Policy Forum brought about 200 representatives together in Seoul to discuss commercial mobility, electrolyzers, green ammonia and methanol, refueling infrastructure, standards and joint demonstrations. Participants said China’s market and production scale could complement South Korea’s strengths in fuel cells, mobility, materials, shipbuilding and manufacturing. The industry is converging on a dual-track model in which battery-electric vehicles serve shorter and urban routes, hydrogen supports long-haul, heavy-load and high-utilization applications, and more efficient diesel powertrains provide a transitional option.