The first series-produced hydrogen truck approved for operation in Germany started practical use on 7 December 2022. The vehicle was handed over to the customer mitea GmbH by the leasing company HyLane GmbH in Stuttgart.
The “XCIENT Fuel Cell” from manufacturer Hyundai represents the start for the HyLane fleet, which will initially consist of 44 trucks. The handover of the vehicle to the mid-sized client mitea GmbH in Baden-Württemberg and the commissioning are a milestone for the decarbonisation of heavy road transport. The partners are not only contributing directly to more sustainable mobility, but are also doing important pioneering work for the widespread use of hydrogen trucks. mitea GmbH rents out event equipment and places particularly high value on sustainability. The HyLane rental vehicle contributes to the company’s efforts to make its vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly.
Truck and operating profile
The Hyundai “XCIENT Fuel Cell” vehicle has a range of about 400 kilometres. The hydrogen is stored in seven tanks that can be fully refuelled in a period spanning between 8 and 20 minutes, depending on the temperature. The vehicle was fitted by Schmitz Cargobull with a box including a tail lift and is therefore well suited to the day-to-day requirements of mitea GmbH. To ensure the supply of hydrogen to the vehicle, HyLane has established a cooperative arrangement with H2 MOBILITY. The company operates several hydrogen filling stations in Stuttgart and the surrounding area. Before the vehicle was handed over to the customer, it was put through its paces by DEKRA Automobil GmbH. The experts will also carry out a general inspection and safety test for the vehicle.
The HyLane vehicle was funded by the Federal Ministry of Digital and Transport (BMDV – Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr) within the framework of the guideline on the promotion of light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drive systems and associated refuelling and charging infrastructure (KsNI – Förderung von leichten und schweren Nutzfahrzeugen mit alternativen, klimaschonenden Antrieben und dazugehöriger Tank- und Ladeinfrastruktur). The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH, and applications are approved by the Federal Office for Goods Transport (Bundesamt für Güterverkehr).
Image: HyLane