The oldest Czech car manufacturer, Tatra from Kopřivnice, has enriched the solution for the efficient operation of its heavy-duty trucks with hydrogen fuel cells (FCEV). It has installed the first mobile hydrogen filling station on its premises, reports Milan Olšanský, ITOY member for CZ and SK.

Since the beginning of the development of the Tatra Force e-Drive heavy-duty trucks with hydrogen fuel cells, the Kopřivnice experts have focused primarily on the heavy construction segment, especially mining. This is where they want to apply their hydrogen solution in the future. Interested experts or the informed public do not need to be reminded that one of the critical conditions for the efficient operation of FCEV trucks is hydrogen infrastructure. This is a relatively demanding matter that requires enormous effort and financial resources. Simply put, it is a “business” that requires not only political support, but also extremely strong industrial players. Therefore, every good idea in this regard is very much appreciated.

Hydrogen to the place

Not that it is a revolutionary innovation, but vehicles instantly have their hydrogen filling station until the FCEV operation is a way that can simplify and reduce the cost of the entire business case. And that is why the people of Kopřivnice, together with external specialists, developed an "instant" hydrogen filling station in the form of a standard container. It can be brought on a regular truck equipped with an appropriate hook loader to the place of operation of the Tatra FCEV. And if the container vehicle is also a Tatra, then almost no terrain is an obstacle - and that is actually the point, to create a certain ecosystem that allows for truly effective operation of HDVs with hydrogen fuel cells.

First application

Just these days, the company Tatra Trucks, a.s. installed one of the mobile hydrogen filling stations directly on its premises. The advantage is not only the vehicle filling time, which does not exceed 15 minutes, but also the ability to transfer the hydrogen filling station to where it will be needed most. Although it is an unsurprising solution, it is simple, effective and immediately usable.