Hydrogen Dispenser

As China pushes harder into hydrogen-powered transport, the infrastructure behind it needs to keep up. Our client spotted a clear issue early on: while the tech itself was moving forward quickly, the dispensers still looked like old petrol pumps. They didn’t reflect the shift to cleaner energy. The brief was to create something more distinctive, something that felt modern and forward-looking, while still being practical to produce at scale across the country. Outerspace partnered with Hydrexia (Formerly Hyfun Energy) to make this dream a reality.

Client

Hydrexia - Formerly Shanghai Hyfun Energy Technology

Industry

Safety and Industrial
Transport and Mobility

Expertise

Industrial Design

To break away from the look and feel of traditional fuel stations, we took inspiration from the EV space. High-end electric chargers already carry a cleaner, more refined aesthetic, so we used that as a starting point to position hydrogen as part of the same next-generation ecosystem. We focused on a stripped-back visual language, using a black-and-white palette to keep things sharp and easy to read. The form itself is simple and solid, with a monolithic feel that comes across as both premium and approachable. From the start, the design had to work not just visually, but practically. We developed the outer housing using sheet metal, mainly stainless steel, and produced detailed, production-ready 3D models and drawings. This made it easier to maintain the design quality through large-scale manufacturing, including powder coating and assembly.

Powder-coated stainless steel gave us the durability needed for heavy public use, while also achieving a more refined, matte finish, something you don’t typically see with conventional fuel dispensers.

The final product has set a new standard for hydrogen refueling in the region. Because the design was developed with manufacturing in mind from day one, it moved smoothly into mass production without losing its original intent.

Today, these dispensers are widely used across China, supporting the country’s growing hydrogen vehicle network. Just as importantly, they help signal a clear shift in how refueling infrastructure looks and feels in a clean energy future.

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