OPmobility powered-hydrogen trucks get to work in Belgian supermarket deliveries
EDITOR’S NOTE: This article has been corrected to reflect that the hydrogen fuel cells used in Colruyt’s trucks are supplied by OPmobility, not Toyota.
Colruyt Group has started running hydrogen fuel cell trucks in its supermarket supply chain, taking the EU-backed H2Haul project off the test track and into daily logistics work.
The Belgian supermarket retailer is operating two tractor units built by VDL Enabling Transport Solutions (VDL ETS), which are powered by OPmobility hydrogen fuel cell modules.
One has been hauling goods since May, with a second about to enter service, both working at the full 44-tonne capacity weight limit for European trucks, on urban and rural delivery routes.
The trucks carry 40kg of hydrogen stored in seven carbon-fibre tanks at 350 bar pressure, delivered via a 210kWh buffer battery pack to achieve a range of around 450km between fills.
The setup fits within Europe’s 16.5-metre length limit for tractor-trailer units, meaning Colruyt can run the same loads as its diesel fleet equivalents.
“Hydrogen is a promising technology alongside battery-electric transport,” said Lieselot Rouquart, who co-leads Colruyt’s zero-emission transport programme.
“We invite all governments in Belgium to support green mobility technology by implementing incentivising legislative measures.”
Colruyt is one of several operators in what is called H2Haul, a European programme backed by the Clean Hydrogen Partnership to deploy more than 40 heavy-duty hydrogen trucks across four countries.
The retailer’s trial adds a large-scale retail logistics case study to the initiative, with vehicles running at full payload in real-world conditions.
Its lead driver says the trucks have already completed multiple 300km runs fully loaded. He said: “it is fun to work on this project as we are among the first in Belgium – and maybe even Europe – to drive hydrogen trucks. At distribution centres and car parks, people are constantly addressing me about and taking pictures of the truck.”
