In Gelsenkirchen there is currently a special garbage collection vehicle on the road, with which not only garbage cans are emptied, but at the same time records different data on energy consumption.
The background of the measure is that GELSENDIENSTE plans to use a hydrogen fuel cell garbage truck. This technique could serve as an alternative to traditional diesel engine vehicles in the future.
Based on the measured values ​​collected during the trials, the vehicle manufacturer analyzes how a collection vehicle suitable for use in Gelsenkirchen would have to be configured. The drive of the vehicle is fully electric. The basis is a battery that can be supplemented as needed by one to three fuel cells as a range extender.
“We are planning to order a first hydrogen vehicle for the current year. The delivery would then probably take place in 2020 “, says GELSENDIENSTE Operations Manager Ulrich W. Husemann. “At the same time, we are examining the possibilities for applying for subsidies and setting up a mobile hydrogen filling station.”
In 2017, GELSENDIENSTE already had a hybrid refuse vehicle in the test. While the chassis was driven by a diesel engine, the drive of body and bed was driven by an additional electric motor. In practice, this concept turned out to be not yet suitable for everyday use.
In the passenger car sector, however, GELSENDIENSTE has been using four electric cars for several years. These are charged with electricity from a solar carport on the depot on Wickingstraße. At the beginning of 2019, the vehicle fleet was supplemented by three electric utility vehicles. Two of the type Streetscooter transporters are used in the variant as flatbed trucks for green area maintenance, another model with box body for the internal postal service.
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