CEVA Logistics and Toyota Team Up For Hydrogen Truck Trial

CEVA Logistics has announced a partnership with Toyota Motor Europe (TME) to conduct testing on one of the market's initial heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) trucks, marking a significant step towards decarbonizing TME's supply chain. The prototype truck, manufactured by Dutch company VDL Groep for TME, will be operated under a five-year contract in an ambitious endeavor.

CEVA Logistics plans to integrate the prototype truck into its operations during the latter half of 2023. This pilot initiative will allow the company to evaluate the performance and efficiency of hydrogen fuel cell trucks, providing valuable insights before the projected global industrialization of fuel cell technology, anticipated to occur by the end of this decade.

An intriguing aspect of this venture is the partial funding for the prototype acquisition, which will be provided by the German Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. A grant of 383,923.20 euros will be awarded as part of the federal funding program "Climate-friendly commercial vehicles and Infrastructure (KsNI)." Applications for this program are reviewed and approved by the Federal Logistics and Mobility Office, with coordination by NOW GmbH.

This extensive trial will offer critical insights into the advantages of hydrogen for ground transportation and contribute to the development of sustainable hydrogen infrastructure across Europe. CEVA Logistics aims to assess the performance of hydrogen fuel cell technology in comparison to traditional diesel trucks while identifying potential use cases.

The hydrogen fuel cell truck will operate between two TME sites, utilizing existing hydrogen supply stations along its route. CEVA expects a significant reduction in its carbon footprint, with an estimated 690 tons of CO2 to be saved over the five-year testing period.

The hydrogen fuel cell test is part of CEVA's broader efforts to implement emission-reducing initiatives within its ground operations. The company is focused on scaling up the use of electric vehicles (EVs), biogas, and biofuels, transitioning eligible full-truckload shipments to rail solutions, and exploring other low-carbon alternatives. In addition to testing HFC trucks, CEVA Logistics plans to expand its EV fleet to 1,450 vehicles by the end of 2025.

As a part of the CMA CGM Group, CEVA Logistics shares the commitment to energy transition in shipping and aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The group is actively at the forefront of adopting alternative fuels in its operations.

Luc Nadal, the managing director for Europe at CEVA Logistics, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, "We have a longstanding relationship with Toyota Motor Europe, and actively participating in this decarbonization project with them represents an important moment for us and our industry."

This partnership with TME underscores CEVA's dedication to collaborating with major brands in finding innovative solutions for more sustainable ground freight transportation. Such initiatives will play a crucial role in decarbonizing ground transport, not only in Europe but also worldwide.