The LIFE NEW HYTS project aims to demonstrate the practical feasibility of locally producing, distributing and applying green hydrogen in road transport. With the focus on a rapid introduction of green, hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles, important steps are being taken. A good example is Aannemingsbedrijf Jos Scholman of Nieuwegein. The first hydrogen-powered mobile crane is ready to do heavy work without CO2 emissions.
Deployment of hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles generates orders and is good for employment.
Efforts to accelerate the introduction of green hydrogen in transport within Utrecht are part of the LIFE NEW HYTS project that started in 2021. Contractor company Jos Scholman was one of the first to join in. Already in 2019, Scholman, in collaboration with Hysolar, started developing a vision of energy transition for their sector and started moving towards hydrogen.
Hydrogen fleet
Scholman's fleet of hydrogen-powered vehicles has grown from 11 Hyundai Nexo cars to eight hydrogen tractors and four tool carriers since 2020. Although Scholman initiated these developments, the company is also making the technology available to other companies. Several Dual Fuel tractors have since been sold by manufacturer New Holland in the Netherlands and Belgium. A considerable number, which strongly demonstrates the demand from the market.
Mobile crane
And so now Scholman's latest acquisition is a mobile crane converted to pure hydrogen, with a fuel cell. Meanwhile, the first mobile excavator is running; the second is also ready for use. The technology being developed here is also accessible to third parties. Scholman hopes this will give an additional boost to the energy transition. In addition, the scope of the hydrogen application continues to expand. After cars, tractors, tool carriers and cranes, Scholman is now also looking at the possibilities for crawler cranes and trucks. The fuel for these developments comes from the market and employment. Scholman finds that with the forward-looking approach, more orders are coming in. And because of the attraction of innovative techniques, well-qualified personnel are at the forefront to join the company.