Value perceptions outweigh contextual orientations in local support for hydrogen infrastructure

The rapid expansion of hydrogen refuelling infrastructure has raised concerns about community acceptance, making the cultivation of societal support crucial for the responsible advancement of hydrogen innovation. Here, we examine public perception and acceptance of local refuelling facilities using parallel survey data collected in Japan, Spain, and Norway. The multigroup analysis reveals that living near refuelling stations does not necessarily lead to stronger opposition. Although risk perceptions are only weakly associated with acceptance, value perceptions of the facilities are more salient. For the general public, acceptance of refuelling facilities aligns more closely with technology acceptance and fuel cell vehicle adoption through pathways rooted in technological and social embeddedness. In contrast, local residents’ attitudes are primarily linked to perceived usefulness, reflecting a perception-driven pathway. These findings highlight the need for communication strategies that move beyond risk framing and instead demonstrate the tangible benefits of hydrogen infrastructure to foster broader community support. Acceptance of hydrogen infrastructure correlates more with openness to hydrogen and fuel cell technologies among the general public but with perceived usefulness among local residents, according to a cross-country study in Japan, Spain, and Norway.