Proposed Petrol Station Scheduled for Development on A8 Highway
Ulm Unveils Innovative "Filling Station of the Future"
Ulm, a city in southern Germany, is set to revolutionise sustainable mobility with the commissioning of its state-of-the-art filling station, scheduled for mid-2027. This ambitious project, hailed as a unique undertaking nationwide, will feature electric vehicle (EV) charging facilities, hydrogen refueling stations, and photovoltaic systems, all integrated with future-oriented energy and building technology.
The city's main committee adopted evaluation criteria in February 2024, focusing on regionality, energy concept, CO2 balance, resource conservation, renewable energy use, especially photovoltaics, and green hydrogen supply. The project aims to promote sustainable mobility infrastructure and reflects a shift in the transport sector towards alternative, regenerative energy sources.
The site for the filling station is optimally connected for traffic, including heavy goods traffic and logistics companies, and is located near the A8 motorway exit, adjacent to the northern part of Ulm. The fuel mix will cater to the needs of Ulm's companies in the battery and fuel cell research sectors.
The innovative concept includes advanced EV charging facilities. ADS-TEC Energy and MVV have partnered to deploy fast-charging solutions at retail locations, including in Ulm. These include battery-buffered fast-charging stations capable of ultra-fast charging up to 320 kW, allowing EV users to recharge within minutes even when local grid capacity is limited.
Hydrogen refueling stations are also part of the project, although specific references for Ulm are limited. Germany is expanding hydrogen infrastructure, and neighboring cities like Düsseldorf have introduced high-capacity hydrogen refueling stations, reflecting a general trend towards integrating hydrogen fuel cell technology in urban mobility.
The project also integrates photovoltaic systems to leverage renewable energy and future-oriented energy technology. Although explicit details on photovoltaic systems at Ulm's stations are scarce, the inclusion of photovoltaic systems is common in future-focused energy projects in German cities to ensure clean, locally generated power feeds the charging hubs, enhancing sustainability and self-sufficiency.
Future-oriented energy technology includes battery-based energy storage systems that buffer grid fluctuations, ultra-fast charging technology, and data-supported management of electric buses and public transit electrification. This holistic approach combines sustainable transport with smart energy infrastructures aiming at carbon-neutral urban development.
The long-term aim is to ensure a reliable supply of low-emission or emission-free drive fuels for both individual users and companies. The project, seen as bold and innovative, was awarded to Golsner & Lutzenberger GbR from Günzburg in April 2025, following four bids submitted to the city. The final land allocation took place on July 24, 2025.
With its innovative "filling station of the future," Ulm is setting a new standard for sustainable mobility and urban energy resilience, fostering a multi-modal, clean energy approach with fast EV chargers, integration of hydrogen refueling, renewable generation via photovoltaics, and advanced energy storage technology.
[1] ADS-TEC Energy (n.d.). Fast Charging Solutions. Retrieved from https://www.adstecenergy.com/en/products/fast-charging-solutions/
[2] MVV (n.d.). ChargePost. Retrieved from https://www.mvv.de/de/fuehrungsaufgaben/betrieb/sonstiges/mobility-solutions/chargepost.html
[3] Stadt Ulm (n.d.). Umwelt und Klimaschutz. Retrieved from https://www.stadt-ulm.de/umwelt-klimaschutz
[4] Stadt Ulm (n.d.). Filling Station of the Future. Retrieved from https://www.stadt-ulm.de/en/city/infrastructure/traffic/filling-station-of-the-future
[5] H2 Mobility Deutschland (n.d.). Hydrogen Refueling Stations. Retrieved from https://www.h2-mobility.de/en/hydrogen-refueling-stations/
- The innovative filling station in Ulm will not only feature electric vehicle charging facilities, but also hydrogen refueling stations, reinforcing the city's commitment to sustainable mobility and renewable energy use.
- The project in Ulm, a unique undertaking in Germany, integrates photovoltaic systems and future-oriented energy technology, embracing a shift towards environmental-science and clean energy in the automotive and transportation sectors.
- The commissioning of the filling station in mid-2027 will promote the use of low-emission or emission-free fuels in the city, boosting the industry's transition towards renewable energy and climate-change mitigation.
- Financial institutions are supporting the Ulm project through partnerships with companies such as ADS-TEC Energy and MVV, demonstrating the potential of the environmental-science and finance sectors to drive the adoption of smart and sustainable energy solutions.
- Germany, with cities like Ulm leading the way, is expanding its hydrogen infrastructure and integrating hydrogen fuel cell technology in urban mobility, positioning the country at the forefront of the new age of sustainable energy and transportation.
