This sense this project represents a critical step in that direction. It will initiate and substantially accelerate the initial cost reduction of fuel cells trucks by enabling the relevant supply chains to reach critical mass, which in turn will accelerate the attainment of the Total Costs of Ownership (TCO) competitiveness.
As enabler, heavy-duty, long-haul truck has proven to be the ideal market-segment for doing this. It is often forgotten that the market size, combined with the total energy consumption, and a high potential to generate (concentrated) vehicle fleets, provides the ideal situation to function as a flywheel for other markets. Current market research is expecting 100,000 vehicles in 2030 and growing to >100,000 hydrogen trucks per year (representing 25-30% of the yearly truck sales).

In total 16 trucks will be deployed in the H2Haul project. As seen in comparable markets, such as public transport, a logical transition step for operators is to start with a demonstrator, then move to a small series and towards a first fleet of 20 to 40 vehicles, before they have fully embraced the technology as a ‘normal’ alternative. These single fleets will drive the OEM and suppliers forward as they need to work in parallel to be able to provide the right product and service proposition.

Therefore, the next step (before hydrogen trucks can be delivered at large scale in the Important Projects of Common European Interest (IPCEI projects) are the flagships projects: allowing the truck agglomerates (OEM) to have a hydrogen truck ready for sale in limited numbers and to integrate the hydrogen truck as platform in their product line and service organisation. Furthermore, the data collected in such a flagship project is key to allow truck manufacturers and transport companies to strengthen and validate the operational and financial viability of hydrogen trucks for daily operation.

Proposals should contain a calendar clearly defining the key phases of the implementation of the action (i.e. preparation of the specifications of trucks and HRS, manufacturing, deployment and operation) and their duration. Proposals should foresee enough time for monitoring and assessment. In that respect proposals are therefore encouraged to put forward ambitious deployment plans including the deployment of a significant percentage of the fleet within the first 2 years of the action, in order to fully unlock the potential of European FCH solutions in the HD segment and contribute to the EU CO2 emission standards for new heavy-duty vehicles (EU 2019/1242) targets.

The maximum Clean Hydrogen JU contribution that may be requested is EUR 30.00 million – proposals requesting Clean Hydrogen JU contributions above this amount will not be evaluated.