As part of a European project, storage and filling specialists are preparing a new protocol that will make it possible to fill up a truck with 100 kg of hydrogen in 10 minutes.
The project is called RHeaDHy (Refuelling Heavy Duty with very high flow Hydrogen). Funded under the Horizon programme, it is coordinated by ENGIE and involves 9 partners, including HRS and Faurecia. It began last February and will run until 31st January 2027.
The aim is to optimise tank refuelling. As of today, the flow is limited to 1 kg per minute at a pressure of 700 bars. This is an acceptable flowing time for a car, whose tank only contains 5 to 6 kg of hydrogen. However, when it comes to fill up a hydrogen truck, the capacity can vary from 40 to 80 kg. And refuelling has to be quick.
At a time when electric trucks are competing with hydrogen, due to progress made in batteries, it is in the interests of manufacturers (Iveco, Daimler Truck, Volvo) who want to get into hydrogen mobility to offer a real advantage. Filling up in less than 10 minutes (compared with 80 minutes as things stand at present) would be a genuine asset.
The RHEADHY project plans to test this rapid refuelling at two stations, one in France and the other in Germany. Beforehand, the partners will be developing the components, based on the PRHYDE protocol.
If you’re interested in the subject, here’s an article we wrote on hydrogen refuelling stations. Regarding trucks, we talked about Iveco here, Volvo here and Mercedes there.
You’re a LinkedIn user and you would like to follow the latest hydrogen news more regularly ? Then our LinkedIn newsletter may be what you’re looking for.
Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Logan King
