German electric truck maker Quantron and Norwegian hydrogen supplier Westgass Hydrogen have signed a strategic cooperation agreement to fuel hydrogen trucks across the Nordic countries.
The two companies will join hands to offer fuel-cell electric vehicles and the necessary fueling infrastructure. The partnership will cover Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Finland and Denmark, with Quantron targeting its first commercial rollout in Norway in 2024.
The companies expect unnamed launch customers to run the first ten to 20 hydrogen trucks. Westgass Hydrogen will supply hydrogen to the network of Quantron filling stations and also become one of Quantron’s preferred hydrogen suppliers.
Quantron’s Clean Transportation Alliance (CTA) will offer comprehensive solutions including vehicles, energy deliveries, and the necessary infrastructure. The company aims to deploy 500 fuel cell trucks in Norway alone by 2027. The latest QHM FCEV Heavy Truck is a tractor unit with a range of up to 1,500 kilometres, powered by fuel cells from Ballard Power Systems.
The collaboration between Quantron and Westgass Hydrogen is expected to create a positive impact on the environment and drive the shift towards green transportation. According to a study by the International Council on Clean Transportation (ICCT), hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks can reduce emissions by 67-75% compared to diesel trucks.
The hydrogen industry is still in its nascent stages and faces significant challenges in terms of scalability, production costs, and the availability of infrastructure. However, the prospects of the hydrogen economy appear promising, with several countries announcing ambitious plans to expand hydrogen infrastructure and fuel cell technologies. In Europe, the EU plans to install 40GW of electrolyzer capacity by 2030, and the Norwegian government has set a goal of becoming a hydrogen hub by 2030.
The Nordic region, with its abundance of renewable energy sources, is well-suited to develop the hydrogen economy. Norway, with its high potential for hydrogen production, is well-positioned to become a hub for hydrogen exports. The Norwegian government has announced plans to increase the share of hydrogen in Norway’s energy mix to 20% by 2030.
While there is still some way to go before hydrogen can replace fossil fuels, partnerships such as Quantron and Westgass Hydrogen will accelerate the transition towards green transportation.
