A collaborative effort between research scientists and industry have made it possible for Norwegian wholesaler Asko to debut a goods truck that runs on hydrogen. The company is among the first to operate such a vehicle.
It’s a project that has been ten years in the making aimed at reducing goods vehicles’ emissions. The hydrogen fuel is being produced emissions-free by using electricity generated by solar panels installed across nine thousand square meters of roofing at Asko’s regional warehouse. SINTEF, one of Europe’s largest independent research organizations, is in charge of figuring everything out with the help of the wholesaler.
The truck was developed in cooperation with Scania. It features:
- A 290-kW electric motor (210 kW continuous).
- A 2-speed transmission.
- 2,200 NM peak torque.
- A 56 kWh Li-ion battery.
- A 90 kW PEM fuel cell.
- A 22 kW AC on-board charger with CCS charging interface.
- A 33 kg hydrogen storage tank (@350 bar).
The vehicle has a range between 400 and 500 kilometers per single refueling.
Asko points out that it doesn’t intend to use hydrogen for all goods transport since battery power is still a more economical solution for light goods transport in urban areas. The company began operating four hydrogen-powered trucks in February.
SINTEF’s calculations show that if the authorities put proactive measures in place to facilitate the use of hydrogen vehicles, Norway can have 10,000 heavy hydrogen-powered trucks on the roads by 2030.
Anders Ødegård, Project Manager at SINTEF Industry, points out that:
In order to facilitate widespread heavy goods transport using hydrogen-powered vehicles, it is important to fund the installation of hydrogen fuel stations and ensure the continuance of road toll exemptions.
As far as Asko is concerned, it plans to have 600 of its goods transport vehicles producing zero emissions by 2026 – either by hydrogen fuel or battery-generated electricity. Throughout 2020, pilots will be running to test both vehicle types in terms of ranges and load capacities.
Meanwhile, Asko is looking into opening up a second hydrogen fuel production facility that could make use of the wind power being generated from ten wind turbines it operates in the Agder and Rogaland areas. It envisions the two centers supplying fuel to meet the needs of its vehicles in both south-west and mid- and northern Norway.
