The dual fuel hydrogen truck will be used as a test from November 2021 for the delivery to Delhaize supermarkets. The truck has the potential to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80%. After the test phase of 12 months, it will be examined how the technology developed by CMB.TECH can be further rolled out in the 500-strong truck fleet of Van Moer Logistics.
On 3 June 2021 CMB.TECH presented its multimodal hydrogen filling station in Antwerp and the international developer of hydrogen solutions also introduced its prototype hydrogen truck. Thanks to its dual fuel technology, the truck has several advantages over other hydrogen trucks. The truck has a longer range, is cheaper to buy and has no loss of cargo space in the trailer. Starting from November 2021, the truck will join the transport fleet of Van Moer Logistics.
CMB.TECH is satisfied that they found a suitable party to be the first to test the hydrogen truck in Europe. "We were looking for a reliable and stable partner who was willing to go through the test phase of our hydrogen truck with us," said Alexander Saverys, CEO CMB.TECH. "Van Moer Logistics shares our vision of reducing the emissions of the transport industry with financially viable and reliable technologies. Testing this first CMB.TECH hydrogen truck is a first step towards rapidly scaling up and rolling out more similar trucks on European roads by 2022."
"The dual fuel hydrogen truck will be used for the first time for transport between Delhaize's distribution centre in Zellik and our supermarkets in the Antwerp region. We are therefore proud that we can work together with two strong Belgian companies such as Van Moer Logistics and CMB.TECH on more sustainable transport. Only together can we build a sustainable future for future generations," says Dieter De Waegeneer, Executive Vice President Operations at Delhaize.
How does it work?
The dual fuel hydrogen truck can add hydrogen as a fuel in its converted diesel engine to consume less diesel and produce less CO2. If necessary, the engine can also run completely on diesel. In addition to CO2, NOX emissions are also reduced by up to -70%, but given the very ecological after-treatment on new diesel engines, this also results in a reduction in AdBlue consumption. By using the existing diesel engine and drive train, we can reduce the investment cost of this truck to 1/3rd of a zero-emission alternative.
With a full tank of hydrogen the truck has a range of 500km and if necessary the truck can continue to run on diesel for another 3000 km.
Jo Van Moer, founder and CEO of Van Moer Logistics: "The dual fuel functionality makes this truck so interesting, the goal is to drive 100% on hydrogen, but in daily life on the road you have to take into account unpredictable factors such as traffic jams and waiting hours. Thanks to the diesel reserve, we don't have to worry about the truck running out of fuel in the middle of its journey."
By applying this technology to the new trucks we buy today, we can continue to operate in the usual way, but enable the scaling up of hydrogen refuelling stations and the associated infrastructure.
