Hylane founds new subsidiary and expands to the Netherlands
Just a few days ago, Hylane announced that it would be expanding its rental model to include battery-powered trucks. This is a considerable shift in strategy, as the company had focussed on hydrogen trucks in its pay-per-use business since it was founded in 2021. The Cologne-based company has now announced a further expansion – this time in geographical terms. The newly founded Dutch company is to launch a rental service for transport companies, similar to its parent company in Germany. Good news for Hylane: the additional vehicles that the company is acquiring for this purpose will be subsidised by the national SWiM (Subsidieregeling Waterstof in Mobiliteit) programme.
Sara Schiffer, Managing Director of Hylane GmbH and also of the newly founded Hylane Netherlands BV (together with Co-Managing Director Maximilian Draxler), comments: “By entering the Dutch market, we are transferring our established rental model for zero-emission lorries to another important logistics market. Many of our customers are active across borders, so it is a logical step for us to expand our offering internationally. In doing so, we can build on our experience in the German market, where we have established ourselves as one of the leading providers.”
The Netherlands is known as the commercial centre of Europe, particularly due to the logistics port of Rotterdam. “This strategic location ensures high demand in the heavy goods logistics sector – ideal conditions for zero-emission transport solutions,” states an accompanying press release. The Dutch SWIM subsidy programme makes it much easier to ramp up the market for alternative drive systems. The subsidies are not only intended for the purchase of zero-emission trucks, but also for the expansion of hydrogen refuelling stations, for example.
In this context, Hylane states that it has applied for the funding programme in cooperation with the filling station operators TEAL Mobility, Fountain Fuel and Vissers. The company intends to use the promised funding to purchase both hydrogen burners and fuel cell trucks. According to Hylane, the funding will cover up to 80 per cent of the additional costs compared to diesel. The Cologne-based company intends to use these subsidies in full to reduce rental rates for customers.
Dutch customers can initially choose from three models at Hylane: the hydrogen-powered hTGX from MAN, the Xcient fuel cell truck from Hyundai and the eActros 600 battery-powered truck from Daimler Truck. The MAN tractor unit is said to have a maximum range of 600 kilometres. The vehicle stores 56 kilograms of hydrogen at 700 bar and can be fully refuelled in around 15 minutes. As a classic fuel cell truck, the Hyundai Xcient offers a range of around 400 kilometres, with the hydrogen being stored on board in seven containers that can be fully refuelled within eight to 20 minutes. The range is complemented by the new eActros 600 electric semitrailer tractor from Daimler Truck. According to the data sheet, it has a range of around 500 kilometres and can be charged from 20 to 80 per cent in around an hour.
Hylane is also bringing the petrol station operators mentioned above as consortium partners on board in order to offer its future customers in the Netherlands a reliable and comprehensive hydrogen supply. “A fuel card gives rental customers easy access to the existing network of hydrogen filling stations in the Netherlands. This ensures smooth operation of the vehicles in everyday life,” it says.
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