Air Liquide, IVECO to work on deploying fuel-cell trucks, H2 stations in Europe

Italy-based commercial vehicles maker IVECO and French industrial gases supplier Air Liquide (EPA:AI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), outlining their plan to promote hydrogen-powered heavy-duty mobility in Europe.

The parties are to dedicate means and resources to study the roll-out of heavy-duty fuel-cell electric long-haul trucks. The initiative will be coupled with the deployment of a network of renewable or low-carbon hydrogen refuelling stations along the main trans-European transport corridors, IVECO’s parent company CNH Industrial NV (NYSE:CNHI) said on Tuesday.

At the same time, IVECO and Air Liquide will jointly promote initiatives to encourage hydrogen mobility by involving all stakeholders along the entire value chain, CNH Industrial added.

“We are committed to the development of a hydrogen economy and are excited to collaborate with Air Liquide in researching the most effective way to provide operators with this sustainable alternative transport fuel,” said Luca Sra, designated president, Truck Business Unit, Iveco Group.

“Hydrogen can significantly contribute to reducing emissions of the transportation sector as it is particularly well suited for long-haul heavy-duty vehicles,” adds Matthieu Giard, vice president supervising hydrogen activities at Air Liquide.

IVECO and Air Liquide are already involved in the HyAMMED multi-partner hydrogen project in the south of France, where a group of companies teamed up to develop the first European fleet of fuel-cell 44-tonne trucks fuelled at a high-pressure 1 tonne/day hydrogen filling station.

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