Keyou makes first customer delivery of H2 ICE truck

Keyou H2 ICE 18-tonne truck (Photo: Keyou)

Keyou, a German company which specialises in hydrogen power for heavy-duty trucks, has made its first customer delivery. The 18-tonne truck was handed over to logistics company EP-Trans.

Based on a Mercedes-Benz Actros (4x2), the truck features a 7.8-litre inline six-cylinder engine from Deutz. Converted to use hydrogen as fuel, the engine produces 210 kW (281 hp) and maximum torque of 1,000 Nm.

Keyou reports that with a thermal efficiency of about 45%, the hydrogen internal combustion engine outperforms the latest diesel engines. The H2 IC engine reduces CO2 emissions by 99.7%, at which point it is recognised as a zero-emissions vehicle and exempt from road tolls.

The engine is driven via an Allison 3000 Series automatic transmission. The transmission is fuel agnostic and can help to deliver improved powertrain performance and better overall range from vehicles using alternative fuels.

Keyou H2 ICE truck handover (from left to right): Jürgen Nadler, CMO, Keyou; Markus Schneider, COO, Keyou; Hubert Aiwanger, Bavarian Minister of Economic Affairs; Georg Erlinger, MD, EP-Trans; and Markus Pumpf, MD, EP-Trans (Photo: Keyou)

The conversion was completed by Keyou in collaboration with Paul Nutzfahrzeuge, which is located in Vilshofen.

Markus Pumpf, MD of EP-Trans, explained: “From the outset, we were extremely interested in Keyou technology and concept, as it was clear to us that electric trucks were not a viable option for our purposes.”

Georg Ehrlinger, also MD at EP-Trans, added: “We were looking for and found a solution that would enable us to make emission-free deliveries to our customers without compromising on range or efficiency and without having to deal with long recharging times.”

The Keyou 18-tonne truck with H2 ICE should help to decarbonise the logistics sector, while also reducing noise pollution.