Disfrimur, Westport Fuel Systems, Enagás subsidiary Scale Gas and Versallis Tech Services have carried out a pioneering project in Spain to transport goods with a hydrogen-powered vehicle, in a test conducted for Mercadona.
This is an important step forward in the process of decarbonisation of heavy transport.
The test consisted in the completion by Disfrimur of a refrigerated goods transport route between Mercadona’s logistics centres in Ciempozuelos and Getafe, thanks to a trailer equipped by Westport with its HPDITM technology, and powered by hydrogen.
The vehicle refuelled at the hydrogen plant that Enagás' subsidiary, Scale Gas, has in Avenida de Manoteras in Madrid, which allowed for the entire value chain to be completed, while Versallis was responsible for technical support and coordination of the operation.
Mercadona has played a leading role in the successful implementation of the test by providing a distribution service in Madrid and thus contributing to the move towards a more sustainable logistics.
For their part, Disfrimur, Westport, Scale Gas and Versallis, have demonstrated their capabilities in their different fields, building a comprehensive and pioneering initiative at national level that paves the way towards greener and more efficient transport in the Spanish capital.
The CEO of Disfrimur, Juan J. Sanchez, stated: “We unquestionably need affordable heavy-duty hydrogen trucks to help our customers such as Mercadona achieve their transport decarbonisation goals. Trucks equipped with Westport's H2 HPDI fuel system are the solution to our needs today: a technology that is affordable and fits our operational needs, powered by hydrogen. We believe that trailer manufacturers should offer such highly efficient hydrogen-fuelled heavy-duty vehicles."
The Managing Director of Mobility at Scale Gas, Miguel Ángel Castro Pérez, agreed with this approach: “Thanks to this test, in which we have brought our expertise in small scale infrastructure for sustainable mobility, we have taken a further step in our commitment to decarbonise the transport sector and incorporate hydrogen into our portfolio of infrastructure solutions for the heavy transport sector”.
Westport's Vice Chairman, Heavy Duty OEM, Anders Johansson, underlined that “Westport's H2 HPDI fuel system, which powers an internal combustion engine, represents a practical solution that offers the sustainability needed to support climate neutrality in the heavy-duty transport sector. It is truly inspiring to see our prototype trailer, equipped with our H2 HPDI fuel system, being put to the test by a major industry player, ensuring the efficient delivery of fresh produce to a supermarket logistics centre".
Versallis Tech Services COO José López-Gallego added the following: “We hope this demonstration will help raise awareness of how hydrogen can contribute to cleaner heavy transport today, with a total cost of ownership that is competitive with traditional fossil fuel technologies".
In order to make hydrogen technology scalable in transportation, the collaboration of different sectors and actors is key, as this test has shown.
