Key progress during the 5th period of the project includes:
• Iveco successfully completed the construction of all 12 H2Haul vehicles, finalised homologation tests, and secured Single Type Approvals (STAs) for the entire fleet. Safety, functional, durability, and fuel efficiency testing has been completed, accumulating over 15,000 km driven in validation trials, and further interoperability tests in Germany, France, and Switzerland confirmed compatibility with project HRSs. Furthermore, maintenance support systems were established between Bosch and Iveco to facilitate ongoing servicing and troubleshooting. Iveco also showcased one of their trucks at European Hydrogen Week 2025, where it received positive feedback from attendees.
• VDL secured transport permits, refurbished fuel cells, completed homologation for the FRETT, FCT-1, and FCT-2 trucks, and implemented software updates. FCT-1 was also showcased at European Hydrogen Week 2025, gaining positive feedback from attendees. VDL successfully began operation of the FRETT truck during Period 5 and collected operational data until a technical breakdown put it out of service in June 2024. This data will be shared with Sphera and recommissioning of the FRETT truck will take place later in 2025.
• All three H2Haul-funded HRSs remain operational in Switzerland, France and Belgium. In Germany, TotalEnergies secured the necessary permits for the Leipzig HRS, allowing construction to progress, with public opening expected in March 2025. In Hormersdorf flooding issues were successfully resolved, keeping the station on track for a March 2025 launch. ERM collaborated with project partners to compile best practices for HRS deployment, which have been documented in the D2.5 HRS Best Practice Report.
• Progress continued in monitoring and analysis (WP4) despite operational challenges with project trucks. The Rothenburg and Ollignies HRSs maintained ~94% availability, with HRS Rothenburg exceeding daily hydrogen dispensing targets. The Life Cycle Cost (LCC) and Well-to-Wheel (WtW) analysis preparation has advanced, focusing on ensuring consistency in economic and environmental assessments. Additionally, Sphera has aligned with truck deployment partners to coordinate data sharing once vehicles enter operation.
• Outreach efforts continued throughout Reporting Period 5, with project updates shared via events, press releases, articles, and social media. Key milestones included H2Haul’s participation in the AEVETO cluster conference round table and European Hydrogen Week, where both VDL and Iveco trucks were showcased, and the project was presented in the EU Project Pavillion.
