BMW Regensburg Plant Switches In-House Logistics to Hydrogen

The BMW Group Plant Regensburg is gradually switching its in-house logistics to hydrogen. The transition centres on the forklifts and other industrial trucks that the plant has so far operated on battery-electric power. Bavaria's Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger and Plant Director Armin Ebner officially launched the transformation on 19 June 2026. The aim is to convert the entire intralogistics fleet of several hundred vehicles to hydrogen propulsion by 2031.

New Hydrogen Infrastructure for the Plant

A dedicated hydrogen infrastructure is currently being built at the plant to fuel the vehicles. It comprises a pipeline network around six kilometres long, six decentralised refuelling stations and a central buffer storage unit. Following the commissioning of the first refuelling station, the remaining five facilities are scheduled to follow by the end of October. In a first step, around 85 hydrogen-powered logistics vehicles will be deployed at the plant. By 2031, the plan is to convert the complete intralogistics fleet of approximately 320 industrial trucks to hydrogen.

Longer Operating Times Thanks to New Drive Technology

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the switch will noticeably change operational processes. With the battery-electric forklifts used to date, a battery change of around 15 minutes was required twice per nine-hour shift. With the switch to hydrogen, a single refuelling is sufficient, which according to the ministry takes about three minutes. As a result, the vehicles can be used for longer and with fewer interruptions. In addition, the space previously needed for battery changes – around 800 square metres at the plant – is no longer required.

Aiwanger: Technology Openness in Expanding Renewable Energy

On the occasion of the commissioning, Minister of Economic Affairs Hubert Aiwanger highlighted the practical applicability of hydrogen in commercial use. With the new hydrogen network, he said, BMW demonstrates that the technology already works in operational practice. He emphasised the technology-open approach of the Bavarian State Government in the further expansion of renewable energy and pointed to existing funding programmes of the Free State for hydrogen refuelling stations and electrolysers. He regarded the conversion of the logistics fleet at the Regensburg site as a possible example for other companies.

The BMW Group Plant Regensburg is one of the carmaker's larger production sites in Bavaria. The intralogistics conversion now underway is planned over several years and will take place in stages, beginning with the first refuelling station in operation and the initial tranche of around 85 vehicles.