Metrans tests first hydrogen-powered truck in Slovakia

On Thursday, 14 November 2024, MIP and Metrans, together with other partner companies, presented the truck at the Slovakia Ring in Orechová Potôň. To test the truck in operational service for container transport, Metrans and MIP signed a letter of intent to this effect at the event. Metrans will initially be deploying the hydrogen-powered truck for Slovak transport within its European network and conducting comprehensive testing.

Compared to other electric trucks, the MIP truck offers an extended range for long-distance trips. The 48-kilogram hydrogen tank enables a range of at least 600 kilometres without usage habits, such as the refuelling process, needing to be changed. As part of the test drives, the truck will be fuelled exclusively with hydrogen from renewable energy sources.

Peter Kiss, CEO of the Metrans Group: "We are delighted to have the opportunity to test MIP's new hydrogen-powered truck for our container transports. Through innovations like this, we can offer our customers climate-friendly transport not only by rail but also by road. This takes us another important step toward decarbonising European logistics chains."

Metrans has been using e-trucks for its container transports for two years now. In addition to energy-efficient electric and hybrid locomotives and electric container gantry cranes, the e-trucks have been part of Metrans' eco-friendly fleet since 2022, and are now complemented by the hydrogen-powered truck. Metrans aims to offer its customers fully climate-friendly transport solutions from a single source. The combination of eco-friendly rail and road transport creates significant added value here. Metrans is also part of the Clean Port & Logistics Cluster, in which HHLA and partner companies are jointly exploring the use of hydrogen-powered equipment in port logistics.

Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) has been comprehensively decarbonising its facilities and equipment Group-wide for many years to achieve full climate neutrality by 2040. Electrically powered container gantry cranes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and tractor units are already in operation at its terminals in Europe.

Technical specifications of the truck

The first Slovak hydrogen truck was built on the Ford F-Max platform with support from Ford. It is one of the most advanced hydrogen-powered vehicles using cutting-edge technologies that have not yet been implemented in commercially available vehicles. The integrated REFIRE fuel cell, with a capacity of 117 kW, supplies the truck with the required energy. It is the first truck in Europe to integrate the Dana Sumo motor into a heavy-duty vehicle. The maximum permissible weight is 45 tonnes, based on the European standard.

About mobility & innovation production s.r.o. (MIP)

The Slovak company mobility & innovation production s.r.o.  (MIP) is an innovative technology company focused on researching and developing zero-emission drive systems for various vehicles. MIP aims to implement the latest and most advanced technologies that comply with current European Union regulations.

About Metrans

As a specialist in rail logistics, Metrans offers a dense rail network between the North and Baltic Seas, the Adriatic, and the Black Sea. Metrans links ports with the hinterland with a high frequency of connections and also offers continental transport services. With the operation of 20 of its own and additional partner terminals, the company optimises both rail transport and container handling. With its more than 140 modern locomotives and nearly 4,000 specialised wagons, Metrans offers particularly climate-friendly transport.