Hydrogen trucks represent a promising innovation in the freight transport sector. These vehicles use fuel cells to generate electricity from hydrogen, emitting only water vapor as a byproduct. Let's find out what the hydrogen truck that traveled 1,000 km looks like after leaving the Netherlands to arrive in Milan.
Hydrogen truck
It is a three-axle articulated road tractor, transformed into hydrogen by Holthausen Clean Technology with fuel cell technology (FCEV). This truck is in fact equipped with hydrogen fuel cells, with a power of 200 kW which generate electricity used by the 450 kW electric motor and the 160 kWh battery pack which guarantees 100 km of autonomy.
The hydrogen tanks have a total capacity of 50 kg and are positioned at the rear of the cabin.
With this configuration, the truck has an average range of around 450 km (up to 600 km, but it also depends on the type of route and the load): to make the journey from Holland to Milan, 2 refuelings with stops were necessary reduced by about ten minutes, as hydrogen refueling is rapid. The configuration of a 4×2 tractor (2 axles) includes 7 tanks for a total of 35 kg of hydrogen but is also available with 50 kq cylinders. The first 6×2 tractors have already been delivered to customers in Northern Europe, with a total tank capacity of 100 kg of hydrogen, for a range of over 1,100 km.
The hydrogen truck, an articulated lorry tractor, produced by the Dutch Holthausen Clean Technology
The starting point of this hydrogen tractor that arrived in Milan is that of a DAF from which the original engine and gearbox were removed to fit the electric motor, the battery and an automatic Allison gearbox. Among the advantages of the electric motor is the reduced maintenance compared to a truck with a diesel engine which requires periodic servicing with machine downtime and certainly higher costs for materials. Electric regenerative braking also allows for reduced wear on the braking system.
Tractor of a hydrogen-powered articulated lorry from Holthausen Clean Technology
Autonomous hydrogen truck
The Holthausen Clean Technology hydrogen truck was tested on the road during a trip organized by GreenForce to reach Italy. Starting from the Dutch factory in Hoogezand, the truck travels over 1,100 km to the Milan Fair.
A hydrogen truck made a long demonstration journey starting from Holland and arriving in Italy, to reach Milan for the Transpotec Logitec Show. This is a tractor unit powered by hydrogen generated by fuel cells developed by GreenForce,
Hydrogen truck on the road
The route crossed the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland, highlighting the ease of refueling where there are stations and the need to expand this network in Italy.
The purpose of the trip was not only to demonstrate the reliability and versatility of the truck on the road, but also to highlight the importance of road infrastructure and refueling services for hydrogen vehicles over long distances.
Hydrogen refueling gun
On the hydrogen truck the parts that require maintenance concern the braking system and the steering. The fuel cell engine does not require particular attention, other than periodic checks.
GreenForce brings hydrogen to Italy with HOLDIM
GreenForce, an Italian company specializing in sustainable transport from the Holdim Group, and Holthausen Clean Technology, a leading manufacturer of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, have announced a collaborative agreement aimed at developing a hydrogen-based transport ecosystem in Italy. In the agreement with Holthausen Clean Technology, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding, GreenForce will take care of the sale and after-sales assistance of these industrial and commercial vehicles to transport companies and the public sector.
The Holdim Dimport and Ecomotive Solutions headquarters in Serralunga di Crea
GreenForce will play a key role in developing refueling station infrastructure and promoting government incentives for the adoption of hydrogen vehicles, following the example of other countries.
The company will offer all its expertise to municipal administrations for the conversion of public buses from diesel to hydrogen, making the vehicles used in public transport in the city totally clean and with zero emissions.
Finally, Holdim will build a service station at its headquarters that supplies all the biofuels available on the market, including BIO LCNG (gas and liquid methane). Holdim's aim is to provide a comprehensive offering of alternative fuels, with the expected addition of hydrogen in the future.
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