Norway’s Asko and Scania to test fuel cell trucks

Norway’s biggest convenience goods wholesaler Asko, alongside Scania, will test three fuel cell trucks for distribution services with distances of around 500 km.

Asko consists of 13 different regional companies and with a fleet of 600 trucks is one of Norway’s largest haulage companies. It has plans to become carbon-neutral, using renewable fuels for distribution of goods in trucks, and using only electricity in the longer term.

The hydrogen fuel is produced using local solar energy. The Norwegian government co-finances the research.

Nils-Gunnar Vågstedt, who is responsible for the development of Scania’s hybridisation and electrified vehicles, said “This very interesting project represents a unique opportunity to test the fuel cell technology for conversion of energy to our electric powertrains in a challenging customer operating environment. The conversion of hydrogen gas to electrical energy on board trucks, which are operated for longer distances will thus provide value experience for Scania’s continued development of electrified powertrains.”

Scania will supply three-axle distribution trucks with a gross weight of 27 tonnes, where the internal combustion engine in the powertrain will be replaced by an electric engine powered by electricity from fuel cells and hydrogen gas on board the vehicle. The rest of the powertrain is composed of the same standard components used in the hybrid trucks and buses that Scania already delivers. Three trucks will form part of the research project, with an option for one further vehicle.

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