“We are delighted to support these fuel-cell customer trials, hydrogen is a game-changing source of energy which will transform truck technology and help us reach a net-zero future.
“As both a user and producer of hydrogen, INEOS is in a unique position to support this transition and we are excited to work with VERVAEKE,” said Wouter Bleukx, business director hydrogen at INEOS Inovyn.
Uniquely, it is neither compressed hydrogen nor dual fuel technology that is used.
It is subcooled liquid hydrogen, which serves as the sole fuel for the vehicle and, through a fuel cell, charges a battery that drives the electric motors of the drive axle.
For this test, VERVAEKE is investing in a new bulk trailer with very specific features.
On the one hand, the tipping installation of the bulk trailer is driven by the truck.
On the other hand, because of the heavy power requirements, it was opted to build the high airflow unloading compressor on the trailer. This allows it to operate independently of the truck.
Today, the hydrogen truck is not yet capable of delivering such power. However, Daimler Truck is very interested in further developing the truck’s propulsion of auxiliary equipment fitted to the trailer, in collaboration with VERVAEKE.
Frédéric Derumeaux, CEO of VERVAEKE, explained: “For several years, we have been looking for technological innovations that make it possible to reduce our ecological footprint. Supplying heavy trucks with liquid hydrogen is a revolutionary step in that direction.”