Scania and Cummins to build hydrogen trucks

For many years, Scania has been part of various development projects to gain insights into hydrogen technologies. While there are batteries in every fuel cell electric truck, full battery-electric trucks remain Scania’s main strategy as the company moves towards its green future.

The initial 20 fuel-cell electric trucks will be built on Scania’s battery-electric platform and use Cummins’ PEM fuel-cell systems as well as hydrogen fuelling and storage solutions. Once Cummins has added fuel cells to the trucks, the 20 trucks will be delivered to HyTrucks, a project in the Netherlands run by Air Liquide and the Port of Rotterdam Authority.

The HyTrucks project will enable Scania to learn more about how to install fuel cell systems, the operations and what customers experience. “We have been clear that battery-electric is what we see as the main track for all applications,” says Fredrik Allard, Head of E-mobility, Scania.

“That said, we are open to what our customers want with regards to other solutions, like hydrogen,” he added.

He said it’s also a great way to strengthen Scania’s collaboration with Cummins even further. “In some operations and geographies where battery electric vehicles are not optimal, we see that fuel cell electric vehicles will be used. We keep a close dialogue with our customers on what is best both for their total operating economy and our planet.”

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Mr Allard said that to accelerate the shift towards sustainable transport, Scania needs all sources of renewable energy.

Hydrogen is a good way of storing energy over a long time, and will play an important role in decarbonisation if produced in an environmentally friendly way. Scania says it is interested to learn what role green hydrogen can play.