Air Liquide, Rotterdam Port to Launch Hydrogen Truck Fleet
Air Liquide and the Port of Rotterdam authorities have launched a joint initiative aimed at getting 1,000 hydrogen-powered zero-emission trucks on the roads linking the Netherlands, Belgium and western Germany by 2025, the French firm said on July 6.
There are other partners in the venture representing the whole supply chain, from truck manufacturers such as VDL Groep and Iveco/Nikola to transport companies Vos Logistics, Jongeneel Transport and HN Post, as well as fuel cell suppliers. And Air Liquide and the port authority expect more to join in the coming months.
"This is one of the largest projects in Europe for the development of hydrogen trucks and related infrastructure," Air Liquide said, estimating it would reduce CO2 emissions by over 100,000 mt/yr.
Half of the hydrogen trucks will be based in the Port of Rotterdam area. Related infrastructure will need to be developed and deployed, including 25 high-capacity hydrogen filling stations to connect the Netherlands, Belgium, and western Germany. The project's scope also includes electrolysis capacity to produce low-carbon hydrogen from water.
The companies involved in the initiative will jointly undertake a feasibility study of the whole value chain, Air Liquide said. A final investment decision is scheduled before the end of 2022.