Producers of trucks
Brands developing hydrogen trucks
There are currently (2024) no commercial (big brand) trucks on the market. However, there are a number of (big) brands that are working on the development. Think of Volvo, Hyzon and Hyundai.
Volvo hydrogen trucks
Volvo’s hydrogen truck is currently in full development, it also seems that this brand is at the forefront of these trucks. Since 2020, Volvo has been testing a hydrogen truck on a test track and in 2023 they will still be tested on the road. Volvo expects their hydrogen truck to be commercialized in the second half of this decade. However, this is not a certainty, the development of these trucks is so complex that it can also take longer.
Hyzon waterstof trucks
Hyzon is a much lesser-known brand that is also working the development of hydrogen trucks. Hyzon was founded in 2019 from a Horizon Fuel Cell Technologies, which has been producing hydrogen resources for 18 years. The fuel cells in Hyzon’s trucks are the most energy-dense of all other brands. As a result, Hyzon’s trucks become the most efficient, which can significantly reduce costs.
Hyundai waterstof trucks
Hyundai’s hydrogen trucks are currently the furthest along in development. After testing 10 hydrogen trucks (the so-called XCIENT) in Switzerland, Hyundai has promised that there will be more than 1600 hydrogen trucks on the road in Europe by 2025. A downside to Hyundai’s XCIENT series is that the range is ‘only’ 400 kilometers. Compared to Volvo’s trucks with a range of 800-1000 kilometers, this is a big difference.
NPROXX
This company is active in the development of hydrogen as a clean alternative fuel for heavy-duty vehicles. Their technology makes it possible to offer truck combinations and long-haul trucks a range of more than 1000 km with a single tank, while eliminating all harmful emissions. Their advanced hydrogen refueling technology enables fast refueling processes, typically within about 10 minutes.
DAF Trucks
DAF is investigating hydrogen as one of the possible routes to CO₂-neutral transport. They are working on both fuel cell technology and hydrogen combustion engines, with the former using hydrogen to generate electricity and the latter using hydrogen directly as fuel. DAF’s parent company PACCAR, together with partners such as Toyota and Shell, is involved in testing the first hydrogen trucks.
Daimler Truck AG
In cooperation with Linde, Daimler Truck AG is working on a pump system for refuelling liquid hydrogen in trucks. This collaboration is aimed at simplifying the refuelling process and improving storage density and energy efficiency. The Mercedes-Benz GenH2 Truck, a prototype fuel cell truck, is an example of Daimler’s commitment to the development of hydrogen technology.
Toyota and VDL Groep
Toyota has partnered with the VDL Groep to convert existing heavy-duty trucks into zero-emission vehicles using Toyota’s modular fuel cells. These trucks will be part of Toyota’s logistics network in Europe, with the aim of decarbonising the network. The collaboration highlights the commitment to accelerating the transition to zero-carbon road transport.
Future of hydrogen trucks (in the Netherlands)
The future of hydrogen trucks in the Netherlands remains uncertain, despite the efforts of major players in the automotive sector to develop this technology. There are still some obstacles standing in the way of its large-scale adoption. An important point is that the majority of hydrogen production in the Netherlands is currently still done in a grey way, which means that it is not fully sustainable. In addition, the production of hydrogen comes at a high cost, which affects its economic feasibility.
In addition, electric trucks are also in a rapid development process. Their technology is constantly improving, and they are rapidly gaining ground in terms of range and charging time. This represents an alternative that can be competitive with hydrogen trucks.
Another aspect influencing the future of hydrogen trucks is the level of funding and support from both national and continental governments. Currently, the development and implementation of hydrogen technologies are heavily subsidized. If this financial support were to be reduced, it could have a significant impact on further R&D efforts in this area.
At the moment, it remains a matter of waiting to see how developments will go. It is clear that hydrogen trucks have potential, but it is not yet certain whether they will succeed on a large scale. Monitoring further developments and innovations therefore remains of great importance in order to determine the right course in the transition to sustainable transport.
