Cross-Country Performance Assessment and Comparison of Hydrogen Transportation and Logistics Industries

Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles (HFCVs) and hydrogen refueling infrastructure (HRSs) are critical for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and facilitating the transition to hydrogen-based transportation. Leading industrialized nations, including South Korea, have implemented policy frameworks, including subsidization programs under initiatives like the Hydrogen Economy Activation Roadmap, to accelerate HFCV deployment and HRS network expansion. Despite these efforts, market penetration remains constrained by structural and operational barriers. This study employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with both CCR and BCC models to assess the relative efficiency of national hydrogen transportation sectors across eight countries. The empirical findings reveal that South Korea and China achieve superior relative efficiency, while inefficiencies observed in the United States and Australia are attributable to scale configurations. Conversely, inefficiencies in Germany, France, and Japan are driven by operational management deficiencies. Returns to scale analysis demonstrates that South Korea and China operate at optimal scale levels, whereas the United States, Australia, and Japan exhibit decreasing returns to scale, indicating potential benefits from downsizing. Germany, France, and Australia demonstrate increasing returns to scale, suggesting opportunities for capacity expansion. Reference set analysis and slack variable examination provide efficiency improvement benchmarks for each nation. This research contributes an efficiency-based international comparative framework and delivers actionable policy recommendations for countries seeking to enhance their hydrogen transportation sector competitiveness.