From November 2021, the dual fuel hydrogen vehicle will be used for deliveries to Delhaize supermarkets as a test.
The vehicle is capable of reducing CO2 emissions by up to 80%. After a 12-month trial period, it will be determined whether the technology developed by CMB.TECH can be expanded to Van Moer Logistics’ 500-strong truck fleet.
CMB.TECH unveiled their multimodal hydrogen filling station and prototype hydrogen truck in Antwerp on 3 June 2021. The vehicle has various benefits over other hydrogen trucks due to its dual fuel technology. The vehicle has a greater range, is less expensive to purchase, and does not sacrifice cargo room in the trailer. The truck will join Van Moer Logistics’ transport fleet in November 2021.
CMB.TECH is satisfied that they found a suitable party to be the first to test the hydrogen truck in Europe. “We were looking for a reliable and stable partner who was willing to go through the test phase of our hydrogen truck with us,” said Alexander Saverys, CEO CMB.TECH. “Van Moer Logistics shares our vision of reducing the emissions of the transport industry with financially viable and reliable technologies. Testing this first CMB.TECH hydrogen truck is a first step towards rapidly scaling up and rolling out more similar trucks on European roads by 2022.”
“The dual fuel hydrogen truck will be used for the first time for transport between Delhaize’s distribution centre in Zellik and our supermarkets in the Antwerp region. We are therefore proud that we can work together with two strong Belgian companies such as Van Moer Logistics and CMB.TECH on more sustainable transport. Only together can we build a sustainable future for future generations,” says Dieter De Waegeneer, Executive Vice President Operations at Delhaize.
The dual fuel hydrogen truck may use hydrogen as a fuel source in its converted diesel engine, reducing diesel consumption and CO2 emissions. The engine may also run entirely on diesel if necessary. Along with CO2, NOX emissions are decreased by up to 70%, but due to the very environmentally friendly aftertreatment used on current diesel engines, this also results in a reduction in AdBlue consumption. We can decrease the investment cost of this truck to 1/3 the cost of a zero-emission option by utilizing the current diesel engine and driving train.
With a full tank of hydrogen, the vehicle has a range of 500 kilometers and can continue to drive on diesel for an additional 3000 kilometers if necessary.
Jo Van Moer, founder and CEO of Van Moer Logistics: “The dual fuel functionality makes this truck so interesting, the goal is to drive 100% on hydrogen, but in daily life on the road you have to take into account unpredictable factors such as traffic jams and waiting hours. Thanks to the diesel reserve, we don’t have to worry about the truck running out of fuel in the middle of its journey.”
