A pioneering initiative by the Dutch government will see ten hydrogen trucks developed and deployed over the next three years, thanks to the Strategic Sustainable Mobility (SWiM) grant programme.
The Europa trucks, developed by Delft-based Zepp.solutions, will be implemented across five consortia in collaboration with hydrogen infrastructure providers TEAL, Green Planet Pesse, and Fountain Fuel.
Based on Mercedes Actros diesel truck platforms, these hydrogen vehicles are specifically designed for long-distance transport. They offer a range of over 700 kilometres as a 50-tonne combination, include a sleeper cab, and can tow 45ft containers on standard ISO trailers.
The SWiM grant programme aims to address the ‘chicken and egg problem’ in the hydrogen sector by simultaneously supporting vehicle and refuelling infrastructure development. For 2024, the scheme had a budget of €29 million, with the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management increasing the subsidy ceiling to €40 million in 2025.
Stephan Bredewold, director at Fountain Fuel, highlighted the collaborative approach: “Hydrogen will play an important role in the future of heavy transport, but to get there, developing supply and demand simultaneously is essential. With the support of the SWiM scheme, together we are accelerating the transition to a sustainable mobility system.”
Jonas Brendelberger, co-founder of zepp.solutions, expressed enthusiasm about the project: “We are happy to play a significant role in this transition with our Europa trucks. Each vehicle replaces a polluting diesel engine and thus avoids hundreds of tonnes of CO₂ emissions every year.”
The initiative invites transporters and logistics companies to explore sustainable fleet options. “The SWiM grant and our cooperation with strong partners such as TEAL, Green Planet Pesse and Fountain Fuel give transport companies the opportunity to seriously consider hydrogen,” Brendelberger added.
Zepp.solutions, founded in 2017 as a spinoff from TU Delft’s hydrogen racing team ‘Forze’, specialises in designing and producing fuel cCell systems for heavy-duty applications. The company unveiled its hydrogen-electric truck ‘Europa’ at the IAA fair in Hannover in September 2024.
This initiative represents a significant step towards reducing emissions in the transportation sector and demonstrates the Netherlands’ commitment to sustainable mobility solutions.
