Schiphol begins pilot with hydrogen-powered airport vehicles
Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport has become the first major international airport to run a pilot using hydrogen-powered vehicles as part of its daily operations.
The month-long trial includes a specially developed aircraft tow tractor and a prototype Toyota Hilux pick-up truck powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Schiphol has even installed a temporary on-site hydrogen refuelling station supplied by Fuel Cell Systems to keep the vehicles running.
From towing jets to chasing birds
The hydrogen aircraft tug is being used several times a day to tow KLM Boeing 737s between stands, hangars and taxiways. The Toyota pick-up is out on wildlife duty with the airport’s Bird Control team – a job that Schiphol says demands a vehicle ready to go at all times.
Royal Schiphol Group said the aim is to test the practicality of hydrogen in day-to-day airport use, including refuelling times, range, reliability and how the vehicles fit into existing operations.
Schiphol previously trialled a hydrogen ground power unit (GPU) – a generator that supplies electricity to aircraft while parked at the gate – with successful results.
“Hydrogen is a promising addition to battery-electric driving, especially for vehicles that are used intensively or must always be on standby, such as Bird Control and the fire brigade,” said Esmé Valk, Chief People & Transformation Officer at Royal Schiphol Group.
Talking about the Hilux, Wesley, a Junior Innovation Manager from Royal Schiphol Group commented: “We needed a vehicle that is robust, reliable and agile, and can be refuelled fast enough to support 3 shifts per day of this 24/7 mission aimed at protecting both aircraft and wildlife. The FCEV Hilux seemed like a perfect match.”
Part of the push for emission-free operations
Schiphol wants all ground operations to be emission-free at the tailpipe by 2030. Battery-electric equipment is already in use, but hydrogen offers fast refuelling and no downtime for charging – advantages, Schipol says, that matter for mission-critical vehicles.
The project is part of the EU-backed TULIPS programme, Schiphol’s innovation initiative to develop and demonstrate sustainable airport technologies.
Partners include KLM, Rotterdam The Hague Airport, Torino Airport, Hermes Airports, Port of Amsterdam, TLD, Zepp.solutions, HyCC, Air Products, Ballard, and research institutes TNO, SINTEF and Fraunhofer.
The pilot runs until early October.
