MEG deploys first hydrogen waste collection vehicle
"We make our rounds emission-free"
(Photo: MEG)
Mülheim an der Ruhr. In 2021, the MEG Mülheimer Entsorgungsgesellschaft received a funding commitment for a hydrogen-powered (H2) waste collection vehicle. The hydrogen vehicle costs roughly three times as much as a conventional diesel refuse collection vehicle. Federal funding covers 90 percent of the additional costs: The NIP II project is being funded by the Federal Ministry for Digital Affairs and Transport as part of the National Innovation Program for Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technology. The funding guideline is coordinated by NOW GmbH and implemented by the project management agency Jülich (PtJ). In April of this year, MEG put its first hydrogen vehicle into operation.
Waste is collected without emissions
H2 plug-in hybrid: Electric and fuel cell drive
At MEG, electromobility is gradually finding its way into the vehicle fleet. In addition to all-electric sweepers, cars and cargo bikes, the funding also includes a hydrogen plug-in hybrid truck. Hydrogen-powered plug-in hybrids combine an electric motor with a battery and a fuel cell. The new emission-free H2 waste collection vehicle is fueled with hydrogen. The fuel cell generates electricity from four hydrogen tanks, each with a capacity of 4.1 kg. This electricity is used to drive the electric traction motor and at the same time to charge the vehicle's battery. With a hydrogen tank filling, they load twice 10 tons of waste and cover a distance of around 20 kilometers. With the new H2 vehicle, drivers and loaders not only collect the residual waste from the people of Mülheim, but also a lot of experience in the practical application of the CO2 (carbon dioxide), NOX-free (nitrogen oxides) and particulate matter-reduced and quiet technology. For comparison: a conventional waste collection vehicle consumes around 800 liters of diesel per month.
This year, MEG has come a step closer to its goal of reducing emissions and driving noise with alternative drives. Other climate-friendly commercial and special vehicles and road sweepers are also being planned. Here, too, a funding commitment has already been made. The primary goal is to test different technologies and to be able to decide on emission-free vehicles when purchasing new ones.
Overview of the technical data of the Bluepower chassis from FAUN
Electric traction driveConfiguration of the right vehicle (needs-based & weight-optimized)
Battery capacity 85 kilowatt hours
Collection capacity 2 x 10 tons of waste with an intermediate charge
Range 20 kilometers of transport travel
Charging time fast charging: 50 minutes
hydrogen tanks
Storage 4 x 4.2 kg
Range up to 400 kilometers
Refueling time 7 to 15 minutes
Pressure 700 bar (starting station at the RRZ)
Volume 4 x 103 liters
Fuel cells 3 x 30 kilowatts
