Air Liquide has added the first hydrogen-powered trucks to its logistics operations in the Netherlands. This action increases the company’s commitment to the decarbonization of transport and is part of its overall strategy to acceleratethe transition to clean mobility technologies.
Integration of new hydrogen-powered trucks
The two MAN hTGX trucks, equipped with internal combustion hydrogen engines(H₂ ICE), will begin operating in the Rotterdam metropolitan area. These trucks will replace conventional vehicles in Air Liquide’s distribution network, bringing hydrogen to various customers in the region. Thanks to this new fleet, a reduction in operational CO₂ emissions is expected, further boosting the sustainability of Air Liquide’s operations.
The use of hydrogen as a fuel offers several key advantages for heavy transport. Unlike electric vehicles, hydrogen trucks maintain a long range and can be refueled quickly, making this technology an ideal choice for the exacting demands of freight transport. In this way, logistics operators can continue to operate with high vehicle availability and payload capacity, while contributing to a reduced carbon footprint.
The collaboration with logistics partner Schenk Tanktransport, a benchmark in sustainable logistics in the Benelux, will ensure the integration of the trucks into Air Liquide’s existing distribution infrastructure. This partnership is crucial to ensure that the use of hydrogen as an energy source becomes common practice within logistics in the region.
In addition, the project has received support through the Dutch government’s SWiM program, which funds both the purchase of the trucks and the necessary refueling infrastructure. This funding will contribute to the creation of a viable ecosystem for hydrogen-based mobility and provide a model that could be replicated in other regions to decarbonize road transport more broadly.
Sustainability demands action.
The implementation of these hydrogen trucks is tangible proof of our commitment to transforming the heavy transport sector.
We are proud to take this step in the Netherlands and plan to expand our hydrogen-based logistics solutions globally.
Erwin Penfornis, Air Liquide vice president in the Hydrogen Energy business line.
Source and photo: Air Liquide