German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association
The Deutscher Wasserstoff-Verband (DWV) is Germany's core non-profit membership association for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, founded 1996 and headquartered in Berlin. It represents over 100 member organizations — spanning energy, automotive, industrial gases, steel, and research — collectively covering more than 1.5 million jobs, and advocates for hydrogen market framework conditions through four specialized committees and direct lobbying of German and EU institutions.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersBerlin, Germany
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association does
The Deutscher Wasserstoff-Verband (DWV) e.V. is Germany's core national membership association for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, founded in 1996 and headquartered at Robert-Koch-Platz 4, Berlin. The association is registered as a non-profit (gemeinnützig) under German law and is officially recognized in both the German Lobby Register (R002003) and the EU Transparency Register (462906838391-79). Its membership spans more than 100 organizations — including Air Liquide, Air Products, RWE, E.ON Hydrogen, Siemens Energy, BMW, Daimler Truck, Toyota, Hyundai, IVECO, Salzgitter, Linde, thyssenkrupp nucera, Bosch, DLR, and Fraunhofer — collectively representing over 1.5 million jobs nationwide.
DWV's core offering is not a commercial product but an advocacy and coordination platform organized around four specialized committees (H2 Production, H2 Infrastructure, H2 Demand, H2 Mobility) plus the HyMobility expert commission. Members receive political representation, regulatory input, access to exclusive events (H2 Business Talks, Parliamentary Evening), the DWV-Mitteilungen member magazine, and event newsletters. Recent advocacy activity in 2026 covers the Strom-Versorgungssicherheits- und Kapazitätsgesetz (StromVKG), the Grüngasquote design, and the reconstituted National Hydrogenrat.
Revenue is generated almost exclusively through annual membership dues tiered by member type and turnover: corporate members pay €2,500–€35,000/year (peaking at >€1B turnover), trade associations pay €50,000/year, financial institutions and non-trade associations pay €10,000/year, universities and institutes pay €500/year, and schools pay €225/year. Reciprocal memberships are free. The fee schedule was last updated by the General Assembly on 26 October 2023. Leadership consists of CEO Andreas Kuhlmann (Vorstandsvorsitzender) and Managing Director Friederike Lassen (Vorständin).
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association
- Legal name
- Deutscher Wasserstoff-Verband (DWV) e.V.
- Website
- https://dwv-info.de
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- The Deutscher Wasserstoff-Verband (DWV) is Germany's core non-profit membership association for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry, founded 1996 and headquartered in Berlin. It represents over 100 member organizations — spanning energy, automotive, industrial gases, steel, and research — collectively covering more than 1.5 million jobs, and advocates for hydrogen market framework conditions through four specialized committees and direct lobbying of German and EU institutions.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industry Association Services
- NAICS
- Professional Organizations (81392)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hydrogen (Industrial & Mobility) (IMAEACAB)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM) (EUACALAK)
Keywords
Where German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Berlin
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Membership Dues: DWV generates revenue primarily through annual membership fees, which are tiered by company turnover. Corporate members pay between €2,500 and €35,000 per year depending on revenue size. Trade associations pay €50,000, educational institutions pay €500, and schools pay €225. Reciprocal memberships are free.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Turnover > €1 billion — €35,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Turnover €250M–€1B — €25,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Turnover €50M–€250M — €17,500/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Turnover €25M–€50M — €10,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Turnover €5M–€25M — €7,500/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Turnover €1M–€5M — €5,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Turnover < €1M or start-up (<2 years) — €2,500/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Trade associations — €50,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Credit institutions, insurance companies, foundations — €10,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Associations — €10,000/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Other institutions (universities, institutes) — €500/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Schools, vocational schools — €225/year |
| Subscription | Annual | Reciprocal membership — €0 |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The DWV is a registered German industry association that represents the interests of the hydrogen and fuel cell sector. It offers paid membership tiers (corporate, non-corporate/associations, individual experts), runs four technical committees spanning the hydrogen value chain, operates the HyMobility Expert Commission, and provides structured policy advocacy toward German federal and EU institutions. It also publishes industry materials and the DWV yearbook / magazine for its members.
Product overview
The German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association (DWV) is a membership-based industry association rather than a commercial product company. DWV operates as a platform offering its members participation in four specialized committees (H2 Production, H2 Infrastructure, H2 Demand, H2 Mobility), an expert commission (HyMobility), and member publications (DWV-Mitteilungen) and newsletters. The association focuses on advocacy, policy shaping, and market development for the hydrogen and fuel cell industry in Germany.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- DWV Corporate Membership Paid annual membership tier for corporate entities operating across the hydrogen and fuel cell value chain (automotive, energy, industrial gas, technology). Annual dues are scaled by company turnover, and members gain access to committees, lobbying representation, networking events, and the DWV magazine and yearbook.
- DWV Non-Corporate / Association Membership Paid annual membership for non-corporate members such as other industry associations and trade bodies. Includes access to DWV events, publications and committee activities aligned with the hydrogen and fuel cell agenda.
- DWV Individual Expert / Associate Membership Paid individual-level membership for experts, academics, consultants and other individuals associated with the hydrogen and fuel cell sector. Provides access to association information, events and publications.
- DWV Hydrogen Production Committee (H2 Production) A standing technical committee of the DWV focused on hydrogen production topics for member companies. Provides industry coordination, position papers, and member expertise networks within the DWV structure.
- DWV Hydrogen Infrastructure Committee (H2 Infrastructure) A standing technical committee of the DWV focused on hydrogen infrastructure topics (distribution, storage, refueling networks) for member companies. Provides industry coordination and member expertise networks within the DWV structure.
- DWV Hydrogen Demand Committee (H2 Demand) A standing technical committee of the DWV focused on hydrogen demand-side topics for member companies. Provides industry coordination and member expertise networks within the DWV structure.
- DWV Hydrogen Mobility Committee (H2 Mobility) A standing technical committee of the DWV focused on hydrogen mobility topics for member companies. Provides industry coordination and member expertise networks within the DWV structure.
- HyMobility Expert Commission A DWV expert commission focused on hydrogen and fuel cell transport applications, coordinating expertise and positions among member companies and stakeholders in the mobility sector.
- DWV Industry Advocacy and Lobbying Services Formal industry advocacy and lobbying services delivered by the DWV on behalf of members, with formal registration in the German Lobby Register and the EU Transparency Register. Activities include political engagement with German federal ministries and EU institutions on hydrogen and fuel cell policy.
- DWV Industry Publications (Magazine / Annual Report / Yearbook) Member-facing industry publications from the DWV, including the DWV magazine, annual report and yearbook, providing market and policy information to members of the hydrogen and fuel cell industry.
Quantifiable outcome
- Over 1.5 million jobs represented through member companies
Companies that use German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association
Customer profileNamed customers25 records
Segments4 records
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, major, international, regional and reciprocal.
- Hydrogen Technology World Expo 2026flagshipDWV and the Hydrogen Technology World Expo 2026 are jointly organizing the Global Hydrogen Associations Meeting in Hamburg on 20 October 2026 — the first such global gathering of hydrogen associations.
- Hydrogen EuropecoreHydrogen Europe is a key European partnership. DWV's CEO Andreas Kuhlmann was elected to the Board of Directors of Hydrogen Europe in June 2026 at the General Assembly in Brussels. This represents DWV's most senior-level international integration.
- Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU)coreDWV cooperates with the Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU), a European public-private partnership supporting FCH technology research and deployment.
- Clean Energy Partnership (CEP)coreDWV cooperates with the Clean Energy Partnership (CEP), a European hydrogen pilot project partnership focused on demonstrating hydrogen as an energy carrier.
- Deutsche Messe AGmajorDWV cooperates with Deutsche Messe AG, a leading trade fair organizer. The two co-organize events including the Global Hydrogen Associations Meeting in Hamburg on 20 October 2026.
- H2KoreainternationalDWV cooperates with H2Korea, the Korean hydrogen association, for international collaboration and knowledge exchange.
- f-cell StuttgartregionalDWV cooperates with f-cell Stuttgart, a regional hydrogen and fuel cell event and initiative based in Stuttgart, Germany.
- H2Berlin e.V.reciprocalReciprocal membership relationship with H2Berlin, the Berlin hydrogen initiative.
- Bundesverband Kraft-Wärme-Kopplung e.V. (B.KWK)reciprocalReciprocal membership relationship with B.KWK, the German Combined Heat and Power Association.
- AquaVentus Förderverein e.V.reciprocalReciprocal membership relationship with AquaVentus, a German offshore hydrogen initiative.
- Haus der Technik e.V.reciprocalReciprocal membership relationship with Haus der Technik, a German technical education institution.
- Forum für Zukunftsenergien e.V.reciprocalReciprocal membership relationship with Forum für Zukunftsenergien, a German future energies forum.
- Technische Akademie Esslingen e.V.reciprocalReciprocal membership relationship with Technische Akademie Esslingen, a German technical academy.
Scale indicators1 record
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Nationaler Wasserstoffrat (National Hydrogen Council of Germany): Government-appointed advisory body to the German federal government on hydrogen policy. Not a commercial peer, but the most influential adjacent stakeholder shaping the same framework conditions DWV lobbies on.
Broad incumbents
- BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft: German energy and water industry association representing utilities (including several DWV members such as E.ON and RWE). Functions as a broader-incumbent peer where hydrogen is one of many portfolio topics.
- Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI): Germany's largest industry federation, covering industrial policy broadly including hydrogen. A generalist incumbent that competes with DWV for political oxygen on hydrogen framework conditions while representing a much wider industrial base.
- VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau): German engineering federation whose members include electrolyser and fuel cell equipment manufacturers (e.g. Bosch, Siemens Energy). Represents a broader industry constituency with overlapping hydrogen advocacy.
- Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien (BEE): German renewable energy federation. Competes with DWV on positioning hydrogen within the broader decarbonisation debate and on lobbying the Bundestag and federal ministries.
Direct peers
- Hydrogen Council: Global CEO-led hydrogen initiative with many of the same large corporate members (BMW, Daimler, Toyota, Linde, Air Liquide, Shell). Functions as an industry advocacy and thought-leadership platform directly comparable to DWV's role.
- Hydrogen Europe: The Brussels-based European hydrogen industry association. Operates as a trade body with overlapping membership across European hydrogen producers, OEMs, and utilities; DWV's CEO now sits on its board, making it the closest institutional peer.
- Clean Hydrogen Partnership (formerly FCH JU): EU public-private partnership funding hydrogen R&D. DWV is already a cooperation partner of FCH JU; the bodies play complementary roles in the European hydrogen ecosystem and compete for member attention and policy influence.
- Forum für Zukunftsenergien e.V. German 'future energies' forum and existing DWV reciprocal membership partner. Engages in cross-technology energy policy debate with significant overlap in hydrogen framework advocacy.
Regional players
- H2Korea: Korean national hydrogen industry association and existing DWV cooperation partner. Operates the same trade-association model in Korea, serving as the closest regional peer with comparable product/membership structure.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association social profiles
Digital presenceGerman Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association
What does German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association do?
The DWV is a registered German industry association that represents the interests of the hydrogen and fuel cell sector. It offers paid membership tiers (corporate, non-corporate/associations, individual experts), runs four technical committees spanning the hydrogen value chain, operates the HyMobility Expert Commission, and provides structured policy advocacy toward German federal and EU institutions. It also publishes industry materials and the DWV yearbook / magazine for its members.
Is German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association a public or private company?
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association founded?
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association based?
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association is headquartered in Berlin, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association make money?
One revenue line is on record: membership Dues.
Who are German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association's main competitors?
Nationaler Wasserstoffrat (National Hydrogen Council of Germany) is listed as an others. Broad incumbents are BDEW Bundesverband der Energie- und Wasserwirtschaft, Bundesverband der Deutschen Industrie (BDI), VDMA (Verband Deutscher Maschinen- und Anlagenbau) and Bundesverband Erneuerbare Energien (BEE). Direct peers are Hydrogen Council, Hydrogen Europe, Clean Hydrogen Partnership (formerly FCH JU) and Forum für Zukunftsenergien e.V.. H2Korea is listed as a regional player.
Does German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association have an API?
No public API is recorded for German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association.
What industry is German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association in?
German Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Association's product category is Industry Association Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEACAB, Hydrogen (Industrial & Mobility), with a secondary code of EUACALAK, Fuel Cell Distributed Generation (Hydrogen/Natural Gas SOFC/PEM). Its NAICS code is 81392.