The "XCIENT Fuel Cell" from manufacturer Hyundai marks the beginning for the initially 44-truck hylane fleet. The handover of the vehicle to the medium-sized customer mitea GmbH in Baden-Württemberg and its commissioning is a milestone for the decarbonization of heavy road freight transport. The partners not only directly contribute to more sustainable transport but also perform important pioneering work for the widespread use of hydrogen trucks. mitea GmbH rents event equipment and places great emphasis on sustainability. The rental vehicle from hylane helps the company in its efforts to make its vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly.
Rainer Unsöld, Managing Director of mitea GmbH: "We are pleased to have hylane as a partner who makes hydrogen technology accessible to us and enables us to test its suitability for everyday use. Since 2007, we have been optimizing our fleet logistics and using, among other things, transporters and company cars based on CNG. Since 2017, we have been part of the WIN! Charter of the state of Baden-Württemberg, in which we voluntarily commit to more sustainability. Together with hylane, we are taking a further step towards CO2 reduction."
Truck and deployment profile
The Hyundai vehicle of the type "XCIENT Fuel Cell" has a range of approximatelly 400 kilometers. The hydrogen is stored in seven tanks, which can be fully refueled in a span of eight to 20 minutes depending on the temperature. The vehicle was equipped by Schmitz Cargobull with a box including a tail lift, thus meeting the everyday requirements of mitea GmbH. To ensure the supply of hydrogen for the vehicle, hylane has established a cooperation with H2 MOBILITY. The company operates several hydrogen refueling stations in Stuttgart and the surrounding area. Before handing over to the customer, the vehicle was thoroughly inspected by DEKRA Automobil GmbH. The experts will also carry out the main inspection and safety inspection for the vehicle.
Sara Schiffer, Managing Director of hylane: "Bringing the first hydrogen truck to German roads is an important step for us and our partners. There are a multitude of theoretical studies on the use of hydrogen, but too little reliable practical experience. Starting today, we can contribute with our first vehicle to better understanding how the market ramp-up of hydrogen in mobility can work in the future. We are grateful that there are pioneering companies like mitea GmbH that are taking this path together with us."
Funded pioneering work
The hylane vehicle was funded under the guideline for the promotion of light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drives and the associated refueling and charging infrastructure (KsNI) by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH, and applications are approved by the Federal Office for Goods Transport.
