Fuel cell refuse truck part of EU project

Hydrogen technology company PowerCell Sweden is taking part in an EU project to develop and operate a fuel cell refuse truck.

The truck will be operated by recycling and waste management company Renova for the City of Gothenburg.

The project will be partly funded by the EU through its Revive initiative which aims to accelerate the development of hydrogen fueled refuse trucks in Europe. The finding is administered by Fuel Cells and Hydrogen 2 Joint Undertaking

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking executive director Bart Biebuyck say he is glad to see another fuel cell project for heavy-duty applications.

The refuse trucks operate on fixed routes and return to their starting point at the end of each shift.

This removes the requirement for an extensive network of hydrogen filling stations and makes the vehicles ideal for testing the technology.

Renova head of development Hans Zackrisson says the company “are strong believers in electric refuse trucks using fuel cells and hydrogen”.

The benefits include driving range and payload capacity which are “two decisive factors for extensive electrification to happen”.

Meanwhile, Gothenburg sustainable waste and water department strategist Peter Årnes says the city “wants to take the lead in the introduction of new and more sustainable technologies”.

The collaboration with Renova provides “a great opportunity to test fuel cell and hydrogen based zero emission solutions under real circumstances”, Årnes says.