The intermodal company Metrans, owned by Hamburg-based Hhla group, has started testing its first hydrogen fuel cell truck for container transport in Slovakia, in collaboration with the technology company Mobility & Innovation Production. The announcement was made on Thursday, November 14, 2024, during an official presentation at the Slovakia Ring circuit in Orechová Potôň, where Metrans and Mip also signed a letter of intent to initiate operational tests of the truck.
The hydrogen truck will initially be used by Metrans for transport within Slovakia, with the goal of conducting an in-depth testing phase under real operational conditions. With this innovation, the company aims to expand its fleet of zero-emission vehicles, moving closer to its objective of offering climate-neutral container traffic to its customers.
Compared to other electric trucks, the Mip model offers extended range, making it suitable for long-distance journeys. Thanks to the 48-kilogram hydrogen tank, the truck can cover at least 600 kilometers without requiring changes in operational habits, such as the refueling process. During the trial phase, the truck will be refueled exclusively with hydrogen produced from renewable energy sources, ensuring zero environmental impact.
This hydrogen truck was built on the Ford F-Max platform with support from Ford. It is one of the most advanced hydrogen vehicles, equipped with cutting-edge technologies not yet present in commercially available vehicles. The integrated Refire fuel cell, with a capacity of 117 kW, provides the truck with the necessary power, and it is also the first in Europe to integrate the Dana Sumo motor in a heavy vehicle. The overall weight is 45 tons.
Metrans has been using electric trucks for container transport for two years. In addition to electric and hybrid locomotives and electric container cranes, electric trucks have been part of Metrans' fleet since 2022, and now the fleet is expanding with the introduction of the hydrogen truck. The company's goal is to offer fully sustainable transport solutions from a single source, combining environmentally friendly rail and road transport to create significant added value. Metrans is also part of the Clean Port & Logistics Cluster, an initiative in which Hhla and partners explore the use of hydrogen equipment in port logistics.
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik, of which Metrans is a part, has been undergoing a decarbonization process of its facilities and equipment for years, with the goal of achieving full climate neutrality by 2040. At Hhla's European terminals, electric container cranes, autonomous vehicles, and electric tractors are already in operation.
