Nippon Gases Deutschland and HOYER Group have introduced Germany’s first hydrogen-powered truck for dry ice logistics, marking a major step toward decarbonising industrial gas transport.
The hydrogen-powered Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell truck, leased from hylane GmbH, is now operational and tailored to meet the demands of dry ice logistics. The truck, which has a range of 450 km and refuels in under 15 minutes, is projected to save approximately 69,000 kilograms of CO2 annually compared to diesel alternatives.
Unveiled at Nippon Gases’ Hürth site on 8th January, 2025, the initiative highlights the potential of hydrogen in reducing emissions within heavy-duty logistics.
Mona Neubaur, North Rhine-Westphalia’s Minister for Economic Affairs, participated in the demonstration, stressing hydrogen’s role in achieving climate neutrality. “Hydrogen-powered trucks excel where battery-electric vehicles fall short, such as in long-haul freight. Initiatives like this are key to decarbonising the transport sector,” she said.
Supplied by hylane, the vehicle was customised with a dry box and air ducts to meet the specific requirements of transporting dry ice.
“Our partnership with hylane and HOYER not only highlights hydrogen’s feasibility but also provides valuable insights for scaling sustainable logistics across our operations,” said Christoph Laumen, Managing Director of Nippon Gases Deutschland.
Industry-wide implications
Hydrogen is emerging as a cornerstone of sustainable heavy-duty transport, particularly in applications requiring long range and minimal downtime. Nippon Gases and HOYER aim to position themselves as leaders in this shift, leveraging government support such as North Rhine-Westphalia’s HyTrucks.NRW programme.
HOYER, which manages the handling and transport of Nippon Gases’ dry ice, sees the project as a foundation for further hydrogen adoption. “Using this truck allows us to gain early operational experience, ensuring we’re ready to expand hydrogen-powered logistics in the near future,” said Axel Remplewski, Executive Director Global Gas Logistics at HOYER.
This hydrogen-powered truck aligns with Nippon Gases’ broader sustainability strategy. By 2025, the company plans to produce dry ice at its Zörbig facility using biogenic CO2, further reducing its carbon footprint.
“Our sector has a responsibility to innovate, and this project is just the beginning,” Laumen added. “We’re confident hydrogen-powered logistics will play a central role in achieving CO2-neutral transport.”
