Hylane, a Cologne-based company that rents hydrogen trucks, is expanding its business with the support of the Federal Ministry of Digital Affairs and Transport (BMDV).
The company has won the backing of logistics giant DB Cargo and a new partnership with commercial vehicle manufacturer Iveco. Hylane has received a €25m funding decision from the BMDV, which it is using to expand its fleet by 78 hydrogen trucks and keep rental rates low. The company passes on 100% of the subsidy to its customers through reduced rental rates.
The partnership with Iveco will see the two companies collaborate on the provision of fuel cell electric vehicles. In addition to purchasing commercial vehicles, they will cooperate on service. Hylane customers will be able to have maintenance and repair work carried out at selected and certified workshops in the Iveco service network. Christian Sulser, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Iveco Magirus AG, commented: “hylane is one of our first partners in Germany to rely on our expertise in the field of fuel cell trucks – we are looking forward to a good cooperation!”
The expansion of the fleet is made possible by funding from the BMDV, which aims to significantly reduce CO2 emissions from transport to achieve climate targets. Undersecretary Johannes Wieczorek handed over the funding decision to hylane managing directors Sara Schiffer and Bernd Zens at the Transport Logistic trade fair in Munich. “We are very pleased to support hylane on its way to sustainable road freight transport,” said Wieczorek.
Hylane’s rental model provides companies with easy access to climate-neutral mobility. The company uses the subsidy exclusively to reduce the rental rates for its users. “And while the money is sometimes only paid out years after approval, hylane pays in advance for its tenants with the full purchase price for the vehicles. This would not be easily possible, especially for many small and medium-sized transport companies,” explains hylane Managing Director Bernd Zens.
In addition to the partnership with Iveco, hylane has gained another prominent customer in DB Cargo Full Load Solutions (FLS). The leading transport and logistics company relies on hylane’s rental model for the use of climate-friendly trucks. The rented tractor units will initially be used in the Hamburg region.
