HyLane hands over hydrogen truck to mitea in Stuttgart

The “XCIENT Fuel Cell” from manufacturer Hyundai marks the beginning of the initially 44-truck hylane fleet. The handover of the vehicle to the medium-sized customer mitea GmbH in Baden-Württemberg and its commissioning is a milestone for the decarbonization of heavy road freight transport. The partners not only contribute directly to a more sustainable transport system but also play an important pioneering role for the widespread use of hydrogen trucks.

(Köln/Stuttgart) mitea GmbH rents event equipment and places particular emphasis on sustainability. The rental vehicle from hylane assists the company in its efforts to make its vehicle fleet more environmentally friendly.

Rainer Unsöld, Managing Director of mitea GmbH: “We are pleased to have a partner in hylane who makes hydrogen technology accessible to us and allows us to test its practicality. Since 2007, we have been optimizing our fleet logistics, using, among other things, CNG-based vans and business vehicles. Since 2017, we have been part of the WIN! Charter of the state of Baden-Württemberg, in which we voluntarily commit to greater sustainability. Together with hylane, we are taking another step towards CO2 reduction.”

Hydrogen is stored in seven containers

The Hyundai vehicle type “XCIENT Fuel Cell” has a range of about 400 kilometers. Hydrogen is stored in seven containers, which can be fully refueled in a span of eight to 20 minutes depending on the temperature. The vehicle has been equipped by Schmitz Cargobull with a box including a loading platform, thus meeting the everyday requirements of mitea GmbH. To ensure the vehicle’s hydrogen supply, hylane has established a partnership with H2 MOBILITY. The company operates several hydrogen filling stations in Stuttgart and the surrounding area. Before handing over to the customer, the vehicle was thoroughly tested by DEKRA Automobil GmbH. The experts will also conduct the main inspection and safety check for the vehicle.

Sara Schiffer, Managing Director of hylane: “Bringing the first hydrogen truck to German roads is an important step for us and our partners. There are numerous theoretical studies on the use of hydrogen, but too little reliable practical experience. From today, we are allowed to contribute with our first vehicle to a better understanding of how the market ramp-up of hydrogen in mobility can work in the future. We are grateful that there are pioneering companies like mitea GmbH that are taking this path together with us.”

Funding from the Ministry

The hylane vehicle was funded under the guideline for the promotion of light and heavy commercial vehicles with alternative, climate-friendly drives and the associated tank and charging infrastructure (KsNI) by the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH, and applications are approved by the Federal Office for Goods Transport.

Photo: © HyLane