French green hydrogen producer Lhyfe has been awarded a multi-year contract to supply BMW Group's (automobile manufacturer) research and development site in Steyr, Austria, with green hydrogen, marking the company's first deliveries in the country and supporting a facility central to BMW's hydrogen propulsion ambitions.

A Strategic Partnership for BMW's Hydrogen Fuel Cell Program

The BMW Group site in Steyr is currently preparing for mass production of fuel cell systems for the new BMW X5 model. BMW Group's third-generation hydrogen propulsion system is scheduled to enter production at the location from 2028. Earlier development stages and prototype generations of the third-generation system were carried out in Munich before work shifted to Steyr.

According to Lhyfe, the site is responsible for the series development and subsequent industrialization of BMW's hydrogen fuel cell system. The green hydrogen Lhyfe supplies will be directed toward series development, industrialization, testing, and validation activities at the Austrian facility.

BMW describes the third-generation system as more compact, more powerful, and more efficient than its predecessors, delivering increased range and power while reducing overall vehicle energy consumption.

Lhyfe's First Deliveries into Austria

Lhyfe, which has been producing and supplying green hydrogen in Europe since 2021, will use its hydrogen transport fleet to deliver to the Steyr site. The company describes its bulk transportation fleet as one of the most comprehensive in the European Union.

In 2025 alone, Lhyfe made more than 850 deliveries throughout Europe. The Steyr contract represents a geographic expansion for the company, as these shipments will be its first to Austria.

Lhyfe said its existing infrastructure and logistics network, combined with partnerships across the continent, allow it to deliver green hydrogen throughout Europe.

Lhyfe currently operates four production sites across France and Germany, with a combined production capacity of up to 8.5 tonnes of green hydrogen per day.

The company also has plans to commission two additional sites in France before the end of the current year. All operating sites hold RFNBO certification, confirming that the hydrogen they produce meets European requirements for renewable fuel of non-biological origin.

In September 2025, Lhyfe announced it had become Europe's largest producer of bulk RFNBO hydrogen from the electrolysis of water.

Why BMW Chose Lhyfe

BMW Group selected Lhyfe as its supplier based on the company's combined experience in both the production and logistics of renewable hydrogen, according to the announcement.

For Lhyfe, the contract represents significant validation from a global automotive manufacturer. Matthieu Guesné, founder and CEO of Lhyfe, said in a statement: "BMW Group is one of the world's leading mobility companies, which we commend for its concrete commitment to the energy transition in a sector set to undergo profound transformation.

For Lhyfe, being chosen to support the industrial development of its fuel cell technology is strong recognition not only of our expertise, but also of our ability to guarantee a reliable supply that meets the standards of major manufacturers."

Hydrogen as a Complement to Battery Electric Vehicles

The announcement coincides with a broader discussion across the automotive industry about the respective roles of battery electric and hydrogen fuel cell technologies.

Lhyfe noted that hydrogen has established relevance as a complement to electric batteries, particularly for applications involving intensive use, long-range requirements, and fast recharging needs.

The company cited SUVs, taxis, vans, forklift trucks, and lorries as vehicle categories where hydrogen propulsion is seen as particularly suited, as well as geographic regions where electricity grid infrastructure cannot support mass electrification of vehicle fleets.

The company characterized BMW Group's continued investment in hydrogen propulsion technology as a sign that the sector is gradually structuring itself across Europe.

Lhyfe's European Footprint

Lhyfe was founded with a focus on making green hydrogen available at an industrial scale across Europe. The company achieved a notable milestone in 2021 when it inaugurated what it describes as the first industrial-scale green hydrogen production plant in the world to be interconnected with a wind farm.

A year later, in 2022, it launched the first offshore green hydrogen production pilot platform in the world. The company is currently represented in 11 European countries and employs 188 staff as of the end of December 2025. Lhyfe is listed on the Euronext market in Paris under the ticker LHYFE.

Powering Europe's Hydrogen Future: Are You Tracking Every Opportunity?

Europe's hydrogen sector is accelerating at a pace that leaves little room for missed signals. From gigawatt-scale electrolysis projects in Scandinavia to cross-border pipeline infrastructure stretching across the continent, the window to position your organization ahead of critical developments is narrowing with every passing quarter.

The Global Project Tracking (GPT) platform by Blackridge Research gives energy professionals, investors, and project developers a structured, continuously updated view of hydrogen activity across Europe — consolidating fragmented data into a single, decision-ready intelligence resource.

Whether you are monitoring competitive landscapes, evaluating supply chain entry points, or mapping funding flows tied to initiatives like the European Hydrogen Bank, the GPT platform ensures you are always working from the most current picture available.

• Upcoming Projects

• Tender Notices

• Contract Awards

• Projects Under Construction

• Completed Projects

Discover how the GPT platform can sharpen your hydrogen market strategy across Europe — Book a Free Demo with the Blackridge Research team today.