DEKRA is helping to usher in Germany’s first commercially operated rental fleet of hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles – the expert organization has formed a partnership with startup hylane. hylane, a subsidiary of German insurance company DEVK, specializes in providing a comprehensive range of hydrogen solutions to the logistics sector. The fleet will initially consist of 44 trucks from different manufacturers. The trucks will be rented out to customers throughout Germany with a wide range of applications in mind.
“We’re delighted that DEKRA can bring its technical expertise to the table in this exciting project while at the same time having the opportunity to gain experience in different approaches to fuel cell technology,” says Guido Kutschera, chairman of the Management Board of DEKRA Automobil GmbH and head of DEKRA’s Germany region. “Our colleagues will be working on-site to provide the relevant expert services to support each of the vehicles where the rental customers operate – and they’ll be doing that throughout the vehicles’ life cycle, from delivery through to the point somewhere in the future when they’re taken out of service.”
Alongside the initial acceptance tests, the DEKRA experts will also be carrying out the trucks’ periodical vehicle inspections and quarterly safety inspections, preparing condition reports and expert assessments if required. “In DEKRA, we’ve found a partner that gives us top-class assistance as we work to make eco-friendly transportation a reality,” says Sara Schiffer, managing director of hylane. As part of the partnership, hylane has also become a DEKRA e.V. member.
The German Federal Government is supporting hylane’s hydrogen-powered rental fleet, covering 80% of the difference in procurement costs relative to diesel trucks. Every cent of the subsidy payments is being used to reduce the rates for the vehicles on offer, allowing hylane to offer suitably attractive rental prices. The first vehicles will be handed over to hylane customers later this year.
Source: DEKRA
