BMW Leipzig first car plant with direct hydrogen pipeline link

BMW Group Plant Leipzig to get 2 km hydrogen pipeline by 2027, ending truck deliveries; project with MITNETZ GAS and ONTRAS marks world first in car production

The BMW Group plant in Leipzig is preparing for a technological breakthrough. It will become the first car factory in the world to receive hydrogen directly through a dedicated pipeline. Contracts have been signed with MITNETZ GAS and ONTRAS Gastransport: the former will build the two-kilometre link and install the pressure and measurement systems, while the latter will ensure integration into Germany’s future hydrogen core network. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in mid-2027.

This shift to pipeline supply will eliminate the need for trucks and cylinders. According to plant director Petra Peterhänsel, it will unlock the use of hydrogen in energy-intensive processes, most notably in the curing ovens of the paint shop. The facility pioneered this approach back in 2022 with the world’s first fuel-flexible hydrogen burner, and now operates a series of such installations.

Hydrogen is not new to Leipzig. Since 2013, the site has operated forklifts and tug trains powered by fuel cells. The fleet has grown to more than 230 vehicles – the largest of its kind in Europe – supported by nine hydrogen refuelling stations located inside the plant.

The project is part of a much larger development. Germany is building a national hydrogen core network stretching about 9,700 kilometres, much of it by converting existing natural gas pipelines. With total investment estimated at around 19 to 20 billion euros, and backed by both EU and federal funding, the network is planned to reach full operation by 2037, with earlier phases starting sooner.

BMW’s partners bring significant expertise: ONTRAS operates one of the country’s largest transmission systems and is involved in projects such as the Energy Park Bad Lauchstädt, while MITNETZ manages regional distribution networks that have been confirmed as ready for full hydrogen conversion.

Against this backdrop, Leipzig’s role is striking. No other global car manufacturer has yet announced a comparable pipeline connection to their production sites. Competitors like Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, or Stellantis are pursuing hydrogen strategies ranging from logistics to vehicle development, but none involve direct pipeline supply. This leaves Leipzig standing out as a genuine pioneer in the automotive sector.