Logistics company Rheinkraft International (RKI) has taken delivery of a hydrogen-engined 18-tonne truck from KEYOU (earlier post). RKI’s end customer is one of the world’s largest steel producers.

We want to boldly and actively shape the necessary change in road freight transport. In addition to their own sustainability efforts, our customers are increasing emphasis on decarbonizing their supply chain. As a logistics company, this naturally presents us with major challenges, especially since the current range of CO₂-free trucks that meet our requirements is still limited. We see great potential in KEYOU’s technology. From the start, we were convinced by KEYOU’s pay-per-use model and full-service package. The advantages of the hydrogen engine, high efficiency, short refueling times, and attractive range were conclusive. That’s why we are pleased to be able to test one of the first KEYOU H₂ trucks in real operation as a pioneer.

We are not only concerned about decarbonizing energy-intensive production, we also want to make our supply chains climate-neutral as quickly as possible, and not via certificates, but in real terms for all modes of transport.

—Dirk Müller, managing partner of RKI

The 7.8-liter, six-cylinder engine is based on a diesel platform from an established manufacturer. The engine has an output of 210 kW and maximum torque of 1,000 N·m. Fuel is supplied via port fuel injection (PFI). Fuel consumption is about 7.5 kg of H₂ per 100 km.

KEYOU developed a proprietary, efficient lean-burn combustion for the engines, keeping any resulting NO_x well below limits. The converted trucks meet Euro VI emissions standards and the EU’s CO₂ requirements, thus being exempt from truck tolls. This is a clear plus point for the KEYOU truck with an H₂ engine, as it can save fleet operators up to €15,000 in tolls per year.

Extensive test drives with the prototype truck are underway in and around Munich; delivery of the first pioneer trucks is planned for the end of 2023. The start-up’s 18-ton prototype received official TÜV road approval in May. And has since been put through its paces under a wide range of conditions on the roads in and around Munich.