BMW launches its first hydrogen truck

The pilot project demonstrates the company’s focus on promoting hydrogen mobility in freight transport.

German automotive manufacturer BMW has announced the launch of its first hydrogen truck, which will be displayed in a pilot demonstration, forming part of the European H2Haul project.

The pilot trial which will feature two zero-emission fuel cell trucks, will oversee travel between Leipzig, Landsberg and Nuremberg, with aims of testing the “practicality of the technology”.

Allowing “serial operation”, two hydrogen fuelling stations are being built in Leipzig and Hormersdorf allowing for rapid refuelling and for the use of large quantities of hydrogen, claimed the BMW Group.

It is hoped that the two IVECO S-eWay Fuel Cell trucks, provided by BMW, will “pave the way for a wide-scale introduction in the road freight sector”.

Michael Nikolaides, Head of Production Network and Logistics BMW Group, highlighted the company’s “open” approach to technology.

Nikolaides said: “In global logistics, it is important to select the right means of transport, in order to operate in a future-oriented and efficient manner. To this end, the openness to technology in the BMW Group is also reflected in its transport logistics.

“For the first time, hydrogen-powered trucks will now be used in serial operation for German automobile production. We have been working with our partners for several years to implement this pilot fleet. This project is an important milestone as we gain experience in serial operation and continue to advance this important technology” added Nikolaides.

The BMW trucks are set to provide two of the 16 trucks being deployed in the H2Haul project across four different countries.

With funding from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the H2Haul project aims to contribute to a hydrogen refuelling infrastructure across Europe while proving that hydrogen trucks can be used safely on roads.

This project further expands on BMW’s aspirations for the use of hydrogen in its technology. The manufacturer announced its aims of launching its first hydrogen car in 2028, following collaboration with Toyota.