Iveco has officially delivered two Iveco S-eWay Fuel Cell heavy-duty trucks to BMW, a key partner in the H2Haul project. This European initiative, co-financed by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, is designed to showcase the high reliability and practical potential of hydrogen-powered trucks. The project aims to validate these vehicles through real-world field operations across diverse missions, collaborating with multiple hydrogen providers and operating within varied geographic and logistical environments.
Strengthening Commitment to Zero-Emission Transport
This delivery marks a significant milestone in Iveco’s ongoing efforts to lead the transition toward sustainable logistics in Europe. The event underlines the brand’s dedication to zero-emission long-haul transport solutions, emphasizing hydrogen as a critical technology for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors in commercial transportation.
Handover Event at BMW Leipzig Plant
The official handover took place at a dedicated event hosted by BMW in Leipzig, offering a comprehensive overview of BMW’s holistic hydrogen strategy. The initiative spans from logistics integration to vehicle deployment, reinforcing hydrogen’s role across the entire value chain.
As part of the celebration, two state-of-the-art hydrogen refuelling stations—developed by TEAL Mobility—were inaugurated in Leipzig and Hormersdorf. These facilities are essential for building the required infrastructure to support hydrogen-powered heavy-duty logistics.
A Word from Iveco
In a statement, Iveco emphasized the importance of this achievement:
“The delivery of our first two S-eWay Fuel Cell trucks to BMW represents a significant step forward in proving the practicality and scalability of hydrogen-powered long-haulage transport. Through our active participation in the H2Haul project, we are proud to help pave the way for a zero-emission future in Europe’s transport sector. This achievement demonstrates the strength of collaboration between vehicle manufacturers, energy and technology providers, shippers, carriers, and institutions in advancing the hydrogen-based commercial transport.”
Performance and Capabilities of the Iveco S-eWay Fuel Cell
The Iveco S-eWay Fuel Cell truck is engineered for performance, featuring:
- A fast refuelling time of under 20 minutes
- Capacity to store 70 kg of compressed hydrogen at 700-bar pressure
- A long operational range
- High payload capacity
These attributes make it a viable zero tailpipe emission solution for long-haul missions. The newly delivered units will begin operations by transporting parts between Nuremberg (Bavaria) and BMW's Leipzig plant, supported by the newly opened hydrogen stations.
Hydrogen as a Key Decarbonization Enabler
Iveco’s role in the H2Haul project reflects its broader strategy of embracing multiple alternative powertrains to meet diverse customer needs. Hydrogen plays a pivotal role in this roadmap, particularly for sectors that are difficult to electrify.
Iveco continues to explore emerging hydrogen technologies, including:
- The Iveco S-Way prototype, powered by an FPT Industrial XCURSOR 13-litre Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine
- A series-hybrid heavy-duty concept truck, equipped with an FPT Industrial CURSOR 9 Hydrogen range-extending system
Both vehicles were recently presented at IAA 2024, reinforcing Iveco’s innovation leadership.
Demonstration and Future Deployment Across Europe
The two trucks delivered to BMW are part of a broader fleet of 12 hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles being deployed in strategic locations across Germany, France, and Switzerland under the H2Haul initiative. During the event:
- One truck was showcased at the TEAL Mobility hydrogen station to demonstrate real-time hydrogen refuelling.
- The second truck was on display at BMW’s Leipzig plant.
Industry Collaboration for a Hydrogen Future
The event brought together stakeholders from across the industry, including:
- Project partners
- Representatives from funding institutions
- Government officials, including delegates from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport
Attendees were offered insights into BMW’s hydrogen strategy and the importance of hydrogen in scaling clean transport solutions. Following this, guests witnessed a live hydrogen refuelling demonstration and were shuttled between venues on an Iveco BUS E-WAY, already in use at BMW for zero-emission transport on-site.
Conclusion: Driving Forward the Hydrogen Ecosystem
This comprehensive demonstration of hydrogen’s potential reflects the collective drive of automotive and energy leaders to decarbonize logistics. With practical deployment, cutting-edge infrastructure, and strong multi-sector collaboration, the event marks a significant step in realizing a zero-emission future for European long-haul transport.