Hydrogen-powered bin truck enters service

A waste disposal truck powered by a hydrogen fuel cell is to go into service in Oxford.

The bin lorry, operated by waste management company Grundon, has an ULEMCo hydrogen-diesel dual-fuel conversion and is based on a DAF chassis.

ULEMCo has previously retro-fitted a number of lorries and vans in the public sector, but this is the first private sector contract. The project also represents the first such conversion of a DAF vehicle, and signals the way towards use of hydrogen as a practical alternative to reduce emissions in a wide range of vehicle makes.

This project featured a new modular approach to conversion by ULEMCo. It deployed a 10kg hydrogen unit on the side of the lorry, and this approach will enable the company to reduce the costs of converting other vehicle types.

Grundon is an ideal customer for this technology as the company has a strategic commitment to carbon neutrality, and a practical exploration of the benefits that hydrogen – particularly when produced from waste processes – will give them within the circular economy.

“This DAF conversion represents several ‘firsts’ for hydrogen fuel, and moves ULEMCo onto the next stage of being able to convert large numbers of different vehicle types cost effectively”, said Amanda Lyne, CEO of ULEMCo.

“We are highly impressed by the potential of hydrogen dual-fuel to reduce our carbon footprint as well as reducing costs in the future”, said Grundon’s Group Logistics Manager, John Stephens. “The synergy of combining the use of hydrogen-fuelled vehicles with the potential production of hydrogen from waste treatment processes makes it especially compelling.”