Hy….be careful ??

Hydrogen, especially in transport, is apparently an emotional topic. Not for me.

Facts: Considering facts one can for sure say that in 2024 conditions for a rollout are commercially and technically not established at scale. Some claim they will never be. I will not go into that here at all.

Looking at pilot efforts that were established years back I find it interesting to see how they do.

Status March 6, 2024.

1 Hylane,

founded in Cologne in 2021, is a German hydrogen startup focused on providing sustainable mobility solutions in the transportation sector through a usage-based rental model for hydrogen trucks. It offers climate-friendly vehicles from various manufacturers, allowing transport companies to adopt new technologies with lower risk since they only pay for the kilometers they actually drive. Hylane operates the largest fleet of hydrogen trucks in the European Union and plans to expand its fleet to a total of 122 vehicles by the end of 2024 [Hylane serves the last mile with hydrogen transport solutions and forms partnership with QUANTRON - Hydrogen Central](https://hydrogen-central.com/hylane-serves-the-last-mile-with-hydrogen-transport-solutions-and-forms-partnership-with-quantron/).

The company has received a significant boost with €25 million in funding from the German government, intended to expand its fleet of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) and reduce rental rates for customers. This funding will support the addition of 78 fuel cell electric lorries to Hylane's fleet, furthering its mission to promote hydrogen mobility. The fleet expansion includes vehicles from a variety of manufacturers, such as Iveco, Hyzon Motors, Hyundai, and Daimler Truck, showcasing Hylane's diverse and growing portfolio

[Hylane adds Iveco as FCEV supplier with €25 mn funding boost | electrive.com](https://www.electrive.com/2023/05/10/hylane-adds-iveco-as-fcev-supplier-with-e25-mn-funding-boost/)

[Hylane adds 32 Hyundai Xcient Fuel Cell to fleet | electrive.com](https://www.electrive.com/2023/12/01/hylane-adds-32-hyundai-xcient-fuel-cell-to-fleet/)

[Hyzon Motors Sells 18 Hydrogen Powered Trucks to Hylane Gmbh, Subsidiary of Major German Motor Insurance Provider DEVK Versicherung - Hydrogen Central](https://hydrogen-central.com/hyzon-motors-hydrogen-powered-trucks-hylane-gmbh-german-motor-insurance-devk-versicherung/).

Hylane's business model is based on pay-per-use, where customers pay only for the kilometers driven, inclusive of service and maintenance. This approach, coupled with competitive pricing enabled by government subsidies, aims to make hydrogen-powered transport more accessible and affordable for companies looking to decarbonize their fleets. Hylane has also entered into partnerships to enhance its offerings, including collaboration with Quantron AG for sustainable transportation solutions, highlighting its commitment to expanding the use and infrastructure for hydrogen mobility

[Hylane serves the last mile with hydrogen transport solutions and forms partnership with QUANTRON - Hydrogen Central](https://hydrogen-central.com/hylane-serves-the-last-mile-with-hydrogen-transport-solutions-and-forms-partnership-with-quantron/).

Key clients of Hylane include DB Schenker, a leading logistics company, which has rented Hyzon fuel cell trucks as part of its strategy towards carbon-neutral road transportation. This partnership underscores the demand and confidence in hydrogen-powered vehicles for linehaul transportation, demonstrating Hylane's ability to meet high standards for sustainable transport - (https://www.electrive.com/2022/06/27/db-schenker-to-rent-hyzon-fuel-cell-trucks-from-hylane/).

Hylane's initiatives are not only contributing to the growth of hydrogen mobility in Germany but also setting an example for the adoption of green technologies in the logistics and transport sectors across Europe.

Hylane plans to utilize €25 million from the German government to purchase 78 additional hydrogen trucks, aiming to reduce rental rates for customers. The company collaborates with manufacturers like Hyundai, Hyzon, and Iveco, and aims to expand its fleet to 122 vehicles, maintaining its goal to have 150 by 2024. The business model focuses on a pay-per-use system, with rental periods ranging from 24 months to 6 years. Hylane's primary market is Germany, but it also serves customers in France and Belgium, with plans to potentially expand further in Europe ?? Hylane director Sara Schiffer reveals how to get a hydrogen-powered truck affordably | trans.info](https://trans.info/hylane-hydrogen-truck-355778).

Hylane's sister organization in Switzerland is

2 Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG,

a partnership between Hyundai Motor Company and H2 Energy, (https://hyundai-hm.com/en/) focuses on the decarbonization of heavy traffic through the rental of emission-free commercial vehicles with fuel cell drive. They operate on a Pay Per Use rental model, allowing customers to pay based on usage, promoting cost efficiency and flexibility. This initiative supports the shift towards sustainable and environmentally friendly transport solutions in the heavy traffic sector by leveraging hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG's fleet in Switzerland has achieved a milestone of driving the 5 millionth kilometer together with 20 hydrogen electric trucks. This achievement underscores the progress and reliability of hydrogen mobility in heavy transportation, highlighting the company's commitment to sustainable and emission-free transport solutions ??(https://hyundai-hm.com/en/).

3 H2 Energy,

based in Switzerland, is focused on creating a renewable energy ecosystem that includes the production, storage, and usage of green hydrogen. They are pivotal in establishing a hydrogen economy in Switzerland, aiming to decarbonize various sectors, particularly transportation, by providing green hydrogen sourced from renewable energies like hydropower or solar energy. Their initiatives contribute significantly to the development of hydrogen infrastructure, including fueling stations that support the adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles, such as those operated by Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility AG.

4 HYPE

The Hype hydrogen taxi project in France, specifically in Paris, involves a significant partnership between French and Japanese companies to promote hydrogen mobility. This project is highlighted by the formation of HysetCo, a joint venture that includes Air Liquide, Idex, Société du Taxi électrique Parisien (STEP), and Toyota. Established with the goal of developing the world's first fleet of zero-emission hydrogen-powered taxis, this collaboration underscores a major commitment to advancing a hydrogen-based society in France, particularly within the Paris region.

Toyota's involvement is pivotal, as it has committed to delivering an additional 500 Mirai hydrogen fuel cell vehicles by the end of 2020 to supplement Hype's existing fleet, aiming for a total of 600 taxis. This move is part of a broader initiative to transition to clean mobility and improve air quality, showcasing hydrogen mobility as a viable solution for intensive applications like passenger transportation. The project's ultimate goal is to achieve "zero emissions for taxis/VTCs by the 2024 Paris Olympic Games" [Air Liquide, Idex, STEP, and Toyota create HysetCo to promote the development of hydrogen mobility](https://newsroom.toyota.eu/air-liquide-idex-step-and-toyota-create-hysetco-to-promote-the-development-of-hydrogen-mobility/).

HysetCo's strategy encompasses not just the deployment of hydrogen vehicles but also the development of the necessary recharging infrastructure. This includes a new hydrogen station in Roissy, adding to existing ones in Paris-Orly, Les-Loges-en-Josas, and Pont de l'Alma. The expansion of this network is essential for the wide-scale adoption of hydrogen taxis, with Air Liquide playing a key role in building and supporting these charging stations [Air Liquide, Idex, STEP, and Toyota create HysetCo to promote the development of hydrogen mobility](https://newsroom.toyota.eu/air-liquide-idex-step-and-toyota-create-hysetco-to-promote-the-development-of-hydrogen-mobility/).

Further emphasizing the scale and ambition of the project, by the start of 2021, HysetCo had announced plans to build two additional charging stations and had acquired a taxi company to replace its 600-vehicle fleet with Toyota Mirai models. This initiative, supported by significant investment and the backing of key stakeholders, positions HysetCo to operate the world's largest fleet of hydrogen taxis and contribute actively to the carbon neutrality goals of the Paris 2024 Olympics, of which Toyota is an official partner [Hydrogen taxis | Hype x Air Liquide x Idex x Toyota Motor | EU-Japan](https://www.eu-japan.eu/publications/hydrogen-taxis-hype-x-air-liquide-x-idex-x-toyota-motor) [moves to run 600 hydrogen cabs in Paris | electrive.com](https://www.electrive.com/2021/01/26/hysetco-moves-to-run-600-hydrogen-cabs-in-paris/).

In summary, the Hype hydrogen taxi project represents a significant public-private partnership aimed at reducing urban air pollution and demonstrating the practicality and scalability of hydrogen fuel cell technology in the transportation sector. Toyota's involvement is crucial, supplying the Mirai vehicles that will form the backbone of this pioneering zero-emission fleet.

Additional References

From https://www.greencarcongress.com/2022/10/20221029pxcient.html

Hyundai XCIENT fuel cell fleet in Switzerland logged 5M km in 2 years

29 October 2022

Hyundai Motor Company announced that its fleet of XCIENT Fuel Cell heavy-duty trucks in Switzerland has accumulated more than 5 million km in two years. Starting in 2020, the company exported 47 units of the hydrogen-powered, zero-emission commercial trucks to 23 Swiss companies, which are using them for logistics, distribution and supermarket fulfillment.

In 2019, Hyundai Motor established Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility (HHM) in partnership with Swiss company H2 Energy which partnered with H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, a hydrogen fueling network builder and XCIENT customer, and green hydrogen production company Hydrospider.

The XCIENT Fuel Cell is equipped with a 180-kW hydrogen fuel cell system with two 90-kW fuel cell stacks. The system’s durability and the vehicle’s overall fuel efficiency are tailored to the demands of commercial fleet customers.

The 350-kW e-motor with maximum torque of 2,237 N·m enables dynamic driving performance. Its seven large hydrogen tanks offer a combined storage capacity of around 31 kg of fuel, while a 72-kWh-powered set of three batteries supports the performance. The driving range is over 400 km per charge in real world conditions. Refueling a full tank of hydrogen takes about 8 to 20 minutes, depending on the ambient temperature.

XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks are operated in various fields, including logistics, manufacturing and retail fulfillment, in various key markets. In August 2022, Hyundai Motor announced its successful entry into Germany with seven local companies planning to deploy XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks into fleet service with the German government’s funding for an eco-friendly commercial vehicle initiative.

More recently, Hyundai Motor secured the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s 2021 Targeted Airshed Grants (TAG) funding to deploy further XCIENT Fuel Cell trucks in California in addition to 30 trucks which will be rolled out in the NorCal Zero project starting their operation in the Port of Oakland mid next year.

Hyundai Motor will leverage insights from these public-private partnerships to further drive commercial vehicle decarbonization through hydrogen fuel cell electric technology advancement.

From

https://ecv.hyundai.com/global/en/products/xcient-fuel-cell-truck-fcev

Sept 2023