A Hungarian SME intends to develop and build two prototypes of hydrogen fuel cell (FC) refuse truck, a smaller one (8-16 t) and a normal size (~25 t).
Refuse trucks often trudge slowly in narrow city streets, causing considerable air pollution and noise emission disturbing the inhabitants and the other participants of traffic. Battery electric models are available, but they have not enough range and capacity, moreover even in this case their waste compactor is usually operated by a small diesel engine.
The developer group of Hungarian SMEs has already built refuse trucks with traditional diesel engines. They have bought a truck chassis with drivetrain from an OEM (a “skeleton”), and build on it the superstructure (vehicle body), including the waste collection body, the waste compactor and the necessary automation, control electronics. The SMEs would buy truck chassis and electric drive train as has been done till now but intend to integrate a fuel cell system into the vehicle, which would ensure the necessary driving range and able to make operate the waste compactor unit of the vehicle as well. The fuel cell stack would be purchased, but its cooling, gas and air supply systems, the mechanical design, the integration to the existing electrical system of the vehicle, the complete electronic control, the safety system, the H2 cylinder storage, must be designed, manufactured and make approved, which would be a considerable domestic added value.
The main stakeholders – beyond the developer companies - are local waste management company and local government; The local inhabitants will not be exposed to air pollution and noise
Resources needed
Cost estimate is available now only for the smaller prototype truck development approx. 1,8- 2,0 million EUR, and took ~2,5 years (300 man-months). Planned market entry is in 2024, from where real-life testing can start.
Evidence of success
Developer SME companies have been building already diesel refuse truck for years, so having considerable knowledge, experience in this field, and established good cooperation between each other, and with the local waste management companies, and municipalities responsible for communal waste management. Moreover, refuse trucks return to the same site, from where they start the service, so only one or few hydrogen refuelling station would be adequate to refuel them. Ideal for early phase pilot.
Difficulties encountered
Currently, fundraising and competition for financial sources seems to be the hardest challenge
Potential for learning or transfer
In each partner country the communal waste collection and management is a must. Environmental problems derive from slowly trudge of diesel refuse trucks in narrow streets can be experienced in larger cities, which can be a “driving force” to transform the waste collection system to a zero emission (hydrogen fuel cell) basis.
If the permitting, type approval process is successful, there is a quite considerable market for these HFC refuse trucks, since each city must have a relatively large fleet of these. System integration companies are in a good position, since their know-how in this field can serve as a good basis to integrate hydrogen fuel cells into these trucks. Consequently, smaller companies (SMEs) can also establish such projects and developments, even if refuse trucks seem to be a niche-market, but the needs are continuous and more or less well-predictable.
Moreover, refuse truck fleets operate on a “back-to-base” way, so hydrogen refuelling stations are easier to establish.
Tags: Alternative fuel, Hydrogen, Innovation, Sustainable
