Since March 2021 and for eight years, Gebrüder Weiss transport (Altenrhein, canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland) has been operating a 36 t Hyundai XCient Fuel Cell hydrogen carrier to deliver or collect general goods on a daily basis in the Zurich agglomeration. and the cantons of Lake Constance. In all weathers and in all seasons, the XCient hydrogen truck performed its rounds on flat or mountainous roads with the same performance, “as any short-haul delivery truck from Gebrüder Weiss does”, according to Peter Waldenberger, Head of carrier’s quality and environment management.
Hydrogen XCient from Gebrüder Weiss, 15% higher TCO
During this year, the Gebrüder Weiss hydrogen truck has covered 70,000 km. And thus travels up to 430 km for a range of 450 km. Its maximum speed was confirmed at 85 km/h. But its consumption of 7.5 kg of hydrogen per 100 km turned out to be better than expected. Either a saving in CO emissions2 increased to 80 t. The XCient only entered the workshop for a technical inspection. Its TCO has thus only exceeded “by 15% that of a diesel truck, reports Merlin Hermann, communications manager. But this is only valid for Switzerland where alternative energy vehicles are exempt from motorway tolls. In 2022, the increase in fuel prices raised the difference in TCO to 25%. But we don’t charge any extra charge to our customers, who appreciate it very much. »
A great alternative to diesel
The XCient is also well received by drivers. A two-hour training was enough to give them confidence. One testifies to “its road performance, handling and driving dynamics. It is a real pleasure to drive it. For Peter Waldenberger, all doubt disappeared. “We are fully convinced that the Hyundai XCient Fuel Cell is an excellent alternative to the diesel truck,” he says. We made the right decision by integrating it into our fleet. »
Deployment in Switzerland, Germany and Austria
The carrier does not refrain from testing hydrogen trucks from other manufacturers. “Our strategy is to use 100% electric BEV trucks for local traffic and biogas or hydrogen heavy goods vehicles for long distances,” reports Merlin Hermann. But Hyundai will remain our first partner. »
The carrier is already expecting a second XCient in 2022 and will take others if the conditions are right “in terms of hydrogen charging infrastructure and tax advantages on clean trucks in Germany and Austria”. In fact, from Altenrhein, the carrier wishes to use its Hyundai XCient for deliveries and collections within a radius of 200 km towards the west of Austria, from Bregenz, and towards the south of Germany around the lake of Constance.
