Hydrogen electric trucks are a good way to make the transport sector more sustainable. But many entrepreneurs have doubts about purchasing them because of the costs. There is good news for these entrepreneurs! With AanZET (Purchase subsidy Zero-Emission Trucks), the government is making 30 million euros available. The scheme will come into effect on April 4
By Douke Visserman
The transport sector is facing a major challenge when it comes to sustainability. The transition to battery-electric vehicles has a number of drawbacks, such as long charging times (resulting in long-term standstill of the vehicle), a limited (temperature-dependent) range and the high weight of the battery. A hydrogen electric truck does not have these disadvantages. Hydrogen trucks have the potential of high deployability due to a short refueling time. In addition, the range is sufficient to drive all day. Moreover, if we use green hydrogen, we can drive emission-free.
The purchase of trucks that run on hydrogen can make a major contribution to reducing CO2 emissions in our country. But what about hydrogen refueling? That is also going in the right direction. At the moment, this is possible at fifteen filling stations in the Netherlands. This number will increase rapidly in the coming years. The province of North Holland has entered into a covenant with major players to stimulate the use of hydrogen in heavy mobility. The aim is to create a comprehensive network in the province with at least eight hydrogen filling stations.
One of the projects being tackled by Development Company NHN, New Energy Coalition and the business community is DuwaalIn this project, hydrogen producer HYGRO produce green hydrogen using wind energy for delivery to filling stations in North Holland. The HYGRO hydrogen windmill produces enough hydrogen for fifty to eighty trucks in the region. The first filling station to be built as part of this project is AVIA Marees in Wieringerwerf.
At HYGRO, we use the principle that the costs of driving with hydrogen for the user must be comparable to those of diesel. In this project, that seems feasible in the short term. For transport companies, it will be very attractive to switch to hydrogen. Especially now that the government is opening up the AanZET subsidy for the purchase of zero-emission trucks.
The government wants to stimulate the transport sector to switch to emission-free driving. This is not only done by tightening levies and standards, but also with tax benefits such as MIA and Vamil. And not to forget with subsidy schemes such as the Purchase subsidy scheme for zero-emission trucks, in short AanZET. The AanZET subsidy is intended for companies and non-profit organizations that want to buy or financially lease a completely emission-free truck. The government is making no less than 30 million euros available for this scheme.
You can submit an AanZET application up to and including 29 December 12:00. But be quick! Last year, when the AanZET subsidy was opened, the budget was quickly used up. Our advice is therefore to submit an application in good time if you wish to use this scheme for the purchase of a hydrogen electric truck.
The production of green hydrogen with the HYGRO wind turbine, the roll-out of a comprehensive network of hydrogen filling stations and the AanZET scheme for the purchase of zero-emission trucks make the threshold for entrepreneurs to invest in hydrogen electric vehicles a lot lower. AAll major manufacturers such as Volvo Trucks and Daimler Trucks are developing hydrogen electric trucks. But new players such as H2X Global are also entering the market. This company has developed a hydrogen electric truck that will be available this year (see header photo).
More information about the H2X can be found on the website of the Dutch representative Mobihy. For information about the Purchase subsidy for zero-emission trucks (AanZET) you can contact the RVO.
Douke Visserman is Business developer hydrogen applications at HYGRO. This company offers green hydrogen that is produced directly with wind and/or solar energy. By integrating an electrolysis system with the sustainable energy source, the costs are low and HYGRO can produce green hydrogen at the lowest average cost price.
HYGRO is one of the companies participating in the launch event of WaterstofNHN.nl, on Thursday 20 April in Den Helder. During this event with the title 'Working together on a sustainable future' you will learn more about the ongoing hydrogen projects in North Holland North and get to know the parties involved. Register via the button below.
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