Haulage company Asko and truck retailer Scania are jointly testing three trucks equipped with electric powertrains in Norway. Electrical energy is converted from hydrogen gas in fuel cells on board the vehicles. The hydrogen gas will be produced locally using solar cells. The trucks will operate across distances of almost 500km.
“This very interesting project represents a unique opportunity to test the fuel-cell technology for the conversion of energy to our electric powertrains in a challenging customer operating environment,” said Nils-Gunnar Vågstedt, who is responsible for the development of Scania’s hybridization and electrified vehicles.
“The conversion of hydrogen gas to electrical energy on board trucks, which are operated for long distances, will thus provide valuable experience for Scania’s continued development of electrified powertrains.”
Experience from pilot testing of both the vehicles and the plant, which will be built for local hydrogen gas production, will form the basis of Asko’s decision regarding continued investment in hydrogen gas propulsion. The research project is partly financed by the Norwegian government.
August 30, 2016