Interview with Mathieu Wuyts, Project Manager Mobility/H2-Share

What are the main challenges regarding hydrogen vehicles in NWE at the moment?

Mathieu: The main issue now is the technology readiness level (TRL) and the fact that H2 trucks are not ready for mass production. Although we see more and more hydrogen refuelling stations (HRS) in the North-West Europe region, there is still a lack of hydrogen trucks on our roads. This is even the case in Germany, where infrastructure and more funding is available, because they are not yet commercially available. So, more help for the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) is needed.

How did H2-Share help to overcome these challenges?

H2-Share helped to overcome these challenges by funding the development and testing of a 27 tonne truck in operational environment and a mobile refuelling station. This process taught us a lot about the dimensioning of the components of the fuel cell, the amount of hydrogen that can be transported on board and the battery technology. The mobile refuelling station assisted with gaining more experience in real world testing. This will all be useful for the roll-out of the technology.

Could you explain how you have partnered with other projects HECTOR and FCH JU REVIVE and how this benefits H2-share?

The municipal waste operator of Breda is operating 2 waste collection vehicles within the FCH-JU REVIVE project. These vehicles needed a refuelling station in anticipation of the multi-fuel HRS, built by TotalEnergies. To bridge the gap, they could refuel at our H2-Share mobile hydrogen refuelling station (the WyRefueller built by Wystrach). The City of Duisburg is also operating a hydrogen waste vehicle in the HECTOR project. They wanted to test their vehicle over long distance and Wystrach was able to showcase the mobile HRS. A demonstration and gathering was organised in Breda. The capability of the station was tested with a back-to-back refuelling of 2 waste collection vehicles ánd the H2-Share truck (piloting for DHL Express in Breda). The refuellings ran without any problems, showing the station’s easiness of use. So in essence, we shared knowledge and experience on truck technology, day-to-day operation and the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure. This overarching cooperation was made possible by Interreg and the FCH-JU. (See news article).

Could you quantify some of the expected long-term results of the project? Maybe in terms of CO2 reductions?

During the 2 years of demonstrations, H2-Share aims to have brought about a 75 ton CO2 reduction. The long-term target is to reduce GHG emissions with 1 million tons of CO2 per year. By reducing these carbon emissions, air quality will be improved significantly.  
In the long run H2-Share also targets a 5% market share of heavy-duty hydrogen vehicles by 2030 and a stimulated H2 truck production in NWE.

What is the most promising outcome you expect to achieve at the end of the project?

A solution to the problem, which is among others, a better TRL and a significantly increased availability of H2 trucks. We hope a big part of the R&D for truck manufacturers has been tackled with data from real world testing and customers having had a first experience, delivering proof of readiness of H2 technology and zero-emission heavy-duty transport.

In the future, what contribution do you think H2Share will have in the decarbonisation of transport services in NWE?

The outcomes of H2-Share will be used in projects such as the European projects H2Haul (16 trucks) and HyTrucks (1,000 trucks) taking the roll-out of the technology further. They will build on the foundations that have been laid by H2-Share.