CEVA Logistics announced that it would partner with Toyota Motor Europe (TME) to test one of the market’s first heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) trucks.
Manufactured for TME by the Dutch company VDL Groep, the prototype truck will operate under a five-year contract, marking an ambitious effort to decarbonize TME’s supply chain.
CEVA plans to integrate the prototype into its operations in the second half of 2023. This pilot initiative will allow CEVA to further evaluate the performance and efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell trucks before the expected global industrialization of fuel cell technology, projected to take place at the end of the decade.
Interestingly, the acquisition of the prototype will be partially funded by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport, which will grant 383,923.20 euros in the context of the federal funding program “Climate-friendly commercial vehicles and Infrastructure (KsNI)”. Coordinated by NOW GmbH, applications for this program are approved by the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office.
This extended trial will provide crucial insights into the benefits of hydrogen for ground transportation and aid in the development of sustainable hydrogen infrastructure in Europe. CEVA aims to assess the performance of hydrogen fuel cell technology in contrast to traditional diesel trucks and identify potential use cases.
The hydrogen fuel cell truck will shuttle between two TME sites, utilizing existing hydrogen supply stations along its route. CEVA anticipates a significant reduction in its carbon footprint, with at least 690 tons of CO2 expected to be saved over the five-year test period.
This hydrogen fuel cell test is part of a broader effort by CEVA to introduce emission-reducing initiatives into its ground operations. The company aims to scale up the use of electric vehicles (EVs), biogas, and biofuels, transition eligible full-truckload shipments to rail solutions, and explore other low-carbon options. Alongside testing HFC trucks, CEVA also plans to grow its fleet of EVs to 1,450 by the end of 2025.
CEVA Logistics is a part of the CMA CGM Group, which is dedicated to the energy transition in shipping and aims to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The group is at the forefront of using alternative fuels in their operations.
Luc Nadal, managing director for Europe, CEVA Logistics, spoke enthusiastically about the project: “We have a long-standing relationship with Toyota Motor Europe, and playing an active role in this decarbonization project with them represents an important moment for us and for our industry.”
This partnership with TME highlights CEVA’s commitment to working alongside major brands to find innovative solutions for more sustainable ground freight transportation. This move, among others, will be instrumental in decarbonizing ground transport in Europe and across the globe.
