Zepp Solutions, a young Dutch company specializing in fuel cell technology, has unveiled a hydrogen-powered truck that aims to replace the most widely used means of road transportation, the 4×2 diesel tractor unit. Europe wants to be a “game changer in the transportation industry,” just as Tesla Semi promised several years ago.
You should know that Zepp is a very young company. It was founded five years ago, in 2017, but its founders have been involved in the hydrogen race since 2012. They also come from Delft University of Technology, one of the most famous universities in the world for promoting hydrogen fuel cell technology.
They have developed several high-performance fuel cell systems, and are proud to have broken the record set by Tesla at the Zandvoort Circuit. However, they chose not to make a mass-produced high-performance car, but rather a fuel cell truck. This is what their market analysis concluded is best for their fuel cell technology.
The Europa is a long range sleeper cab, designed to tow an ISO trailer (13.6m/45ft container). It is optimized for the European transport sector with stringent EU regulations guiding its development. It is intended to replace 4×2 diesel tractor units in the fleets of European companies seeking to switch to emission-free means of transportation through various financial incentives and subsidies.
Europe’s first fuel cell trucks will be put into operation in the last quarter of 2023, thanks to the first customers who will benefit from a subsidy program covering up to 37% of the purchase price. The AanZET support program will open on April 4 in the Netherlands, so it now makes sense to choose Zepp to build the trucks.
Initially, Europe will have a 350 bar hydrogen storage system, and 50 kg (110 lb) of hydrogen will provide a claimed range of more than 700 km (435 mi). The zeppX150 fuel cell module is capable of producing a maximum power of 900 kilowatt hoursso it competes with similar diesel trucks.
Most interestingly, Europa’s hydrogen-fueled tractor weighs less than two tons more than its diesel counterpart, and will offer a similar payload capacity. It is expected to provide better performance, especially when climbing hills, where diesel engines suffer from a loss of power.
A year later, in 2024, Europe will introduce an upgraded hydrogen storage version with a capacity of 700 bar, with more than 80 kg (176 lb) of hydrogen. Power output will be around 1,450 kWh, so we’re eager to see a drag race against Tesla’s Semi. Maybe on the same circuit as Zandvoort?
One fill-up will provide a range of over 1,000 km (621 miles), so it’s a very attractive proposition for long-haul carriers in Europe. But there’s just one problem: 700 bar refueling infrastructure for heavy vehicles is still in its infancy in Europe. But thanks to the EU’s ambitious green programme, investments in this infrastructure are expected to rise at a rapid pace.
This Europe for Europe (pun intended) sounds interesting. But we have yet to see how such a startup will perform in a demanding field, where big names like Daimler or Scania are already in the spotlight.
