Core Viewpoint - The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle industry is facing significant challenges, including increased losses among companies, a lack of effective commercialization, and the impending expiration of supportive policies by 2025, prompting urgent calls for new policy measures and financial support [3][5][15]. Group 1: Financial Performance of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Companies - Companies in the hydrogen fuel cell sector are experiencing heightened losses due to multiple factors, including accounts receivable crises, excessive R&D investments, and declining stack prices [3][8]. - In 2024, major companies like Yihuatong reported a revenue drop of 54.21% to 367 million yuan, with net losses expanding to 456 million yuan. Collectively, four leading firms faced losses exceeding 1.81 billion yuan, with an average loss increase of over 60% [3][7]. - The cash flow crisis is exacerbated by delayed government subsidies, leading to a paradox where increased subsidies do not alleviate cash flow issues [8][9]. Group 2: Commercialization Challenges - The hydrogen energy industry has not achieved effective commercialization, primarily due to the mismatch between hydrogen production costs and terminal demand, as well as a lack of diverse application scenarios [11][12]. - Currently, green hydrogen accounts for less than 10% of production, with gray hydrogen being the predominant source, leading to significant cost disparities (gray hydrogen at approximately 10 yuan/kg versus green hydrogen at 30-40 yuan/kg) [11][12]. - The logistics sector, which is highly cost-sensitive, faces challenges in scaling up hydrogen fuel cell vehicles due to high lifecycle fuel costs compared to diesel vehicles [13]. Group 3: Policy and Industry Demands - Industry stakeholders are calling for continuous policy support, a national hydrogen network, specialized financing channels, cost reduction strategies for green hydrogen, and the diversification of application scenarios [15][18]. - There is a consensus on the need for a long-term mechanism to prevent policy gaps that could hinder capital investment and technological progress [16]. - The establishment of a national hydrogen energy fund and the promotion of green hydrogen through mandatory quotas in industrial sectors are seen as essential steps for the industry's growth [17][18]. Group 4: Future Outlook - Despite current difficulties, there is optimism within the industry regarding the potential for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to achieve cost parity with traditional fuel vehicles within the next 3-5 years [19]. - The upcoming years are critical for the industry, with expectations that companies lacking core competitiveness may be eliminated, while strong players could thrive [19].

Core Viewpoint - The hydrogen fuel cell industry is facing significant challenges, including poor financial performance, reliance on financing, and a lack of stable policy support as existing policies near expiration [2][3][4]. Financial Performance - In 2024, the revenue of Yihuatong, known as the "first stock of hydrogen energy," dropped to 367 million yuan, a year-on-year decline of 54.21%, with net losses expanding to 456 million yuan [2][3]. - Four leading companies in the hydrogen energy sector reported a combined loss exceeding 1.81 billion yuan in 2024, with average losses increasing by over 60% [3][4]. Policy and Market Dynamics - The transition from purchase subsidies to demonstration application support for fuel cell vehicles has created uncertainty, leading to market and capital hesitance [2][4]. - The current policy framework is at risk of a gap as the first round of demonstration applications nears completion, which could hinder financing, especially for private enterprises [2][4]. Industry Challenges - The hydrogen fuel cell companies are grappling with multiple issues, including accounts receivable crises, heavy R&D investments, and declining stack prices [4][5]. - Delays in government subsidies have exacerbated cash flow issues, with companies facing significant financial strain due to late payments [4][5]. Cost and Commercialization Issues - The hydrogen industry has not achieved effective commercialization, primarily due to the disparity between hydrogen production costs and terminal demand, as well as a lack of diverse application scenarios [6][7]. - The cost of gray hydrogen is approximately 10 yuan per kilogram, while green hydrogen costs between 30 to 40 yuan per kilogram, making it economically unfeasible for widespread adoption [6][7]. Transportation and Usage Challenges - Transportation costs for hydrogen are high, with storage and transportation accounting for 30% to 50% of terminal costs, and the current infrastructure is limited [7][8]. - The hydrogen fuel cell vehicle market is overly reliant on the logistics sector, which has shown vulnerability, as evidenced by a 12.6% decline in hydrogen heavy truck sales in 2024 [8]. Industry Demands - Industry stakeholders are calling for continuous policy support, a unified national hydrogen highway network, specialized financing channels, cost reduction for green hydrogen, and diversification of application scenarios [9][10]. - There is a consensus on the need for a long-term mechanism to prevent policy gaps that could stifle capital investment and technological progress [9][10]. Future Outlook - Despite current challenges, there is optimism regarding the potential for hydrogen fuel cell vehicles to achieve cost parity with diesel vehicles within the next 3 to 5 years [11]. - The industry anticipates that the next five years will be critical for policy alignment, cost reduction, and expanding application scenarios to ensure sustainable growth [11].