GRUBER Logistics promotes hydrogen technology for international transport in Europe
GRUBER Logistics was the first European company to pre-order, just weeks after its official launch on the American market, the first 40-tonne hydrogen truck for international transport.
The vehicle ordered by GRUBER Logistics, the Nikola 3, was produced by Nikola Motor Company, a US company dedicated to the production of eco-friendly, alternative-energy vehicles.
“As a family-owned transport company based in an area of high natural value such as South Tyrol, we have always striven to champion more sustainable and environmentally conscious mobility. 2019 was a particularly successful year for us in this regard: we expanded our fleet with the purchase of LNG (liquefied natural gas) tractor units and planned the complete replacement of our vehicle fleet. We had long been awaiting the arrival of a hydrogen truck on the European market, and in the vehicle developed by Nikola Motor we finally found the answer to our needs,” stated Martin Gruber, CEO of GRUBER Logistics. “We are in contact with the manufacturer and will take part in the official launch event taking place in a few weeks in Arizona. On that occasion, we will further explore our proposal to pioneer a European pilot project to promote the use of hydrogen in transport.”
Hydrogen vehicles do not release any harmful emissions or CO2, only water vapor; they are also extremely quiet and particularly suited to applications requiring high power and range, such as heavy-duty vehicles. Furthermore, compared to electric vehicles, hydrogen-powered ones offer superior environmental benefits: in fact, since they draw energy from fuel cells, they completely eliminate the problems associated with battery production and disposal, which are otherwise essential for electric trucks.
“The Bolzano Hydrogen Centre is the result of a fruitful partnership between Autostrada del Brennero A22 and the Institute for Innovative Technologies (IIT), with the support of the Provincial Government and EU funds,” says Thomas Klauser, Director of Administration, Communication and Technology at the Centre. “Together with A22, we have set ourselves the goal of improving the quality of life for the local community by promoting sustainable and innovative technologies. The current request for cooperation from GRUBER Logistics fits perfectly into the expansion plan for the hydrogen network in South Tyrol and, in partnership with A22, along the Brenner corridor. Together, we will proceed with the planning of the infrastructure required to accommodate heavy vehicle transit along the Brenner axis.”