- Textile company Mewa has been using a hydrogen-powered truck since the end of April
- The first hydrogen truck in the industry drives for MEWA
MEWA is once again assuming a pioneering role in the field of sustainability and ecology. As the first German company, MEWA is currently among twenty selected companies across Europe that have one of the world’s first hydrogen-powered trucks in daily use.
The car manufacturer Hyundai recently handed over the keys to the first hydrogen truck “Xcient Fuel Cell”. This will be on Swiss roads from the end of April 2021 and supply MEWA customers with zero emissions.
Emission-free mobility in a closed cycle
Hydrogen is currently considered to be the most important energy carrier of the future around the world. An innovative hydrogen program is already a reality in Switzerland. “The concept of using hydrogen for trucks is a world premiere for us because MEWA is the only and thus the first German company to take part in this project,” says Kay Simon, Head of Mobility Concepts and Distribution Strategy at MEWA headquarters in Wiesbaden. He adds: “We are very proud to be among the hydrogen pioneers.”
Water vapor comes out of the exhaust instead of CO2
The use of green, CO2-neutral hydrogen makes this project unique. For its generation, CO2-neutral electricity from hydropower plants is used – the emissions from the truck, therefore, consist exclusively of pure water vapor. This sustainable cycle fits perfectly with MEWA’s new distribution strategies. “The daily delivery to our customers currently inevitably leads to CO2 emissions,” explains Kay Simon. “We would like to sustainably reduce these CO2 emissions from our fleet. MEWA is not relying on CO2-reduced bridging technologies but on CO2-free future technologies such as hydrogen. ”
In Switzerland, the reusable principle meets sustainable distribution
As a European textile service provider, MEWA has been committed to the reusable principle and thus to the strategy of sustainable trade and respectful treatment of nature for 113 years. A hydrogen truck that collects and brings reusable cleaning cloths and work clothes fit perfectly into the vehicle fleet. George Lazar, Commercial Director at MEWA in Switzerland, is also pleased about the pilot project. “We have taken a big step towards being able to supply our customers in Switzerland in a CO2-neutral manner in the future. This pioneering project makes our service even more sustainable and ecological. ”
Commercial vehicles powered by hydrogen are becoming climate-neutral
Hyundai is the first manufacturer to offer a heavy series commercial vehicle that runs on hydrogen. With their storage capacity, the seven hydrogen tanks ensure a range of more than 400 km. Thanks to the CO2 and emission-free technology of hydrogen vehicles, MEWA is taking another important step closer to its goal of an ecological vehicle fleet. “Around 65 tons of CO2 are saved per truck and year. This truck is the core of an extraordinary cycle and therefore an important key to emission-free transport, ”says Mark Freymüller, CEO of Hyundai Hydrogen Mobility. From May on, the motto is: keep your eyes open and don’t miss the revolutionary MEWA truck on the road.
Source: Hyundai
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