ASKO puts Norways' first hydrogen powered trucks on the road
On the 20th January ASKO took a zero-carbon leap forward by putting four hydrogen powered Scania trucks on the road around Trondheim.
ASKO’s fuel cell electric trucks supplied by Scania
Electrification of heavy transport is more challenging than small private vehicles due to the demands of high power, long range, and high utilisation. These vehicles cannot sit around waiting for their batteries to charge.
There is not a single magic solution to the challenge, every situation is subtly different and lends itself to a different solution. Hydrogen is one of the solutions that is already demonstrating itself across transport, industry, and power supply and heating.
On 20th January 2020, ASKO put 4 hydrogen powered trucks – built by Scania - into real operation in a pilot that is Norway’s first, and one of the worlds’ first. The pilot will be the basis for further learning and development for both companies.
ASKO Midt Norge’s main distribution centre in Trondheim has 9000m2 of solar cells on the roof, providing renewable electricity for green hydrogen production. Image source
Self produced zero-carbon hydrogen
Since December 2017, Asko Midt Norge’s main distribution centre in Trondheim has had its very own hydrogen filling station, providing green hydrogen produced from 9000m2 of solar panels on the centres’ roof. In early 2018, ASKO began powering forklift trucks and company cars with this green hydrogen.
Across Norway, ASKO has 80 000m2 (in 2019) of solar cells across the roofs of its distribution centres.
How does it work?
The fuel cell electric trucks – built by SCANIA – are powered by electric energy from fuel cells that use hydrogen as the fuel.
Image: Scania
Technical details
Gross Vehicle Weight: 26+1 tonnes
Configuration: 6×2*4
Powertrain: 290 kW electric machine/210 kW continuous output, 2-speed transmission, 2200 Nm peak torque
Installed battery capacity: 56 kWh Li-ion
On-board charger: 22 kW AC with CCS charging interface
Fuel cell: 90 kW PEFC delivered from Hydrogenics
Hydrogen storage: 33 kg @350 bar - Hexagon
Estimated range: 400-500 km
What next?
ASKO has many ambitious sustainability goals, one of which is to be climate neutral across all its operations. By 2026, all ASKOs goods distribution will be zero-emission (electric or hydrogen powered). This hydrogen pilot plays an important contribution to this ambition. For ASKO, sustainability means that social, ethical and environmental considerations play a central role in the decision-making process and that ASKO is profitable.
“Hydrogen gas is an interesting option for long haulage electrified transport and early tests show that the technology also works well in colder climate” says Karin Rådström, Head of Sales and Marketing at Scania.
“We will continue to monitor the performance of these trucks closely. I also want to commend ASKO for taking early and bold steps to ensure a supply of hydrogen sourced from renewable sources and infrastructure for fuelling. The company is a player who is taking action to catalyse a shift toward sustainable transport,” she ends with.
Written by: Mark Purkis