The BMW Group is incorporating hydrogen as a drive technology in logistics and has initiated pilot operations for fuel cell trucks under the European H2Haul project. The two emission-free trucks will operate between Leipzig, Landsberg, and Nuremberg to test their viability in freight transport.
Hydrogen as a sustainable transport solution
Of the 16 hydrogen trucks supported in Europe, two IVECO S-eWay Fuel Cell trucks are being used by the BMW Group. To facilitate rapid refuelling, two new hydrogen filling stations are being built in Leipzig and Hormersdorf.
According to the BMW Group, insights gained from this pilot operation will contribute to advancing the technology towards market maturity and paving the way for its broader adoption in road freight transport.
With short refuelling times and longer ranges, hydrogen-powered trucks could serve as an important complement to electric trucks on long-haul routes. Additionally, their flexible deployment in logistics—independent of charging infrastructure and power grid constraints—makes them particularly advantageous.
Parallel test: H2 fuel cell vs. H2 combustion engine
Alongside the fuel cell trucks, BMW is also testing hydrogen combustion engine trucks as part of the HyCET project. While fuel cells offer greater efficiency, hydrogen combustion engines have lower production costs and, under EU regulations, are classified as zero-emission vehicles.
The BMW plant in Leipzig has been a pioneer in hydrogen technology, with key milestones including:
- The first indoor hydrogen filling station for forklifts and tugger trains, in operation since 2013.
- Five hydrogen filling stations on the factory premises.
- New hydrogen burners in the paint shop, replacing natural gas to reduce CO₂ emissions.
Hydrogen BMW vehicles in series production from 2028
Following the successful pilot phase of the BMW iX5 Hydrogen, BMW is preparing for the series production of hydrogen-powered vehicles from 2028. Fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technology is intended to complement BMW’s existing portfolio, providing another emission-free drive option.