Iveco in hydrogen hook-up with Air Liquide

Iveco has signed a memorandum of understanding with gas manufacturer Air Liquide, to develop hydrogen mobility in Europe. The partnership will utilise the two companies’ complementary competencies: Air Liquide’s expertise across the hydrogen value chain, from production and storage to distribution; and Iveco’s experience as a provider of clean sustainable transport solutions.

Both partners will dedicate resources to study the roll-out of heavy-duty fuel-cell electric long-haul trucks coupled with the deployment of a network of renewable or low-carbon hydrogen refuelling stations along the main European transport corridors. They will jointly promote initiatives to encourage hydrogen mobility involving all stakeholders along the entire value-chain.

The partnership is in line with the companies’ ongoing collaboration in HyAMMED (Hydrogène à Aix-Marseille pour une Mobilité Ecologie et Durable) project in the South of France, to develop the first European fleet of fuel-cell electric 44-tonne trucks and the first high-pressure 1 tonne/ day hydrogen refuelling station, aimed at decarbonising long-haul freight in Europe.

Luca Sra, president-designate of the truck business unit of Iveco Group, said: “We are committed to the development of a hydrogen economy and are excited to collaborate with Air Liquide in researching the most effective way to provide operators with this sustainable alternative transport fuel.

“It is essential that we all focus on reaching global net zero-emission targets, working together to propel the industry faster in accomplishing this.”

Matthieu Giard, vice-president, and member of the executive committee supervising hydrogen activities at Air Liquide, said: “Hydrogen can significantly contribute to reducing emissions of the transportation sector as it is particularly well suited for long-haul heavy-duty vehicles. Air Liquide is pleased to join forces with a leader such as Iveco to explore how to set this revolution in motion.

“In line with its sustainability objectives, Air Liquide acts in favour of the development of hydrogen ecosystems and contributes to the emergence of a low-carbon society.”

Meanwhile, Iveco is also progressing its alternative fuels offering with the expansion of available fuel tank options on its S-Way CNG (compressed natural gas) 4×2 tractors (pictured), increasing the total fuel capacity to 1,052 litres, up by 132L.

The CNG fuel tanks consist of four cylinders arranged into a ‘pack’, with one pack sitting on either side of the truck’s chassis. Maximising available space, half of the total cylinders on each side remain at 115L, while the balance have been increased to 148L.

The additional tank size enables 160kg of compressed natural gas to be squeezed into the tanks, says Iveco, equating to a 15 per cent proportional uplift in vehicle range.

Available to order now, the enlarged fuel tanks require a minimum fifth wheel height of 190mm.

Iveco says its natural gas heavy trucks enable operators to reduce their carbon emissions output by up to 95 per cent when running biomethane fuels in either CNG or liquefied natural gas (LNG) forms.

Product manager and alternative fuels lead Jorge Asensio López said: “Natural gas, as the gateway to zero emission transport, is becoming harder to ignore. With the larger CNG tanks and a refuelling network that is undergoing nationwide growth at a considerable rate, Iveco S-Way CNG offers operators an environmental solution that must not be ignored.”

The S-Way natural gas truck is available as a tractor or rigid, with four Natural Power Cursor engines capable of running on CNG, LNG or both.

All natural gas-fuelled Iveco S-Ways come with a connection to the Iveco control room and 3XL R&M package for three years. Vehicle running characteristics are remotely monitored, with maintenance intervals altered according to usage.

Over-the-air software updates could negate potential workshop visits altogether, contends the manufacturer.