VANCOUVER, BC, Oct. 10, 2023 /CNW/ – Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (“Westport” or the “Company”) (TSX: WPRT) (Nasdaq: WPRT), a leading supplier of advanced alternative fuel systems and components for the global transportation industry, today announced the successful completion of a heavy transport demonstration with its H2 HPDI™ fuel system equipped prototype truck hauling a refrigerated trailer in Madrid, Spain. The demo marks the first of its kind in Spain, representing an important step forward in the decarbonization of heavy transport for the country.
The collaboration between Westport and key transportation and energy partners includes:
- Disfirmur SL, a transport and logistics company, performing refrigerated goods transportation services, committed to efficient and sustainable transport
- Enagás’ Subsidiary Scale Gas, an energy infrastructure company, responsible for refueling the vehicle at its Madrid hydrogen refueling station
- Versallis Tech Services, a hydrogen and renewable energy services consulting firm, providing technical support and coordination of the operation
The demo was made possible by Mercadona, a leading Spanish supermarket chain, who successfully implemented the test by carrying out a distribution service in Madrid and thus contributing to the progress towards more sustainable logistics.
Juan J. Sanchez, CEO of Disfrimur, said: “We unquestionably need affordable heavy-duty hydrogen fueled trucks to help our customers like Mercadona achieve their transport decarbonization goals. Trucks equipped with Westport’s H2 HPDI fuel system are the solution to our needs today; a technology that is affordable and fits our operational needs, powered by hydrogen. We believe that truck manufacturers should offer this type of high efficiency, hydrogen-fueled heavy-duty vehicle.”
Miguel A. Castro Pérez, General Manager of Mobility at Scale Gas, shares the same opinion: “Thanks to this trial, in which we have contributed with our experience in small scale infrastructure for mobility, we have taken another step forward in our commitment to decarbonize the transport sector, and incorporate hydrogen into our portfolio of infrastructure solutions for the heavy-duty transport sector.”
“Westport’s H2 HPDI fuel system, which powers an internal combustion engine, represents a practical solution that offers the sustainability needed to support climate neutrality in the heavy transport sector,” said Anders Johansson, vice president of Heavy Duty OEMs for Westport. “It is inspiring to see our H2 HPDI prototype truck being tested by a major industry player, demonstrating the efficient delivery of fresh products to a supermarket logistics center.”
The collaborating companies have demonstrated their capabilities in their different fields, building a comprehensive and pioneering initiative at a national level that paves the way toward sustainable and efficient transport in the Spanish capital using a carbon-free fuel.
“We hope this demonstration will help raise awareness of how hydrogen can contribute to cleaner heavy transport today, with a competitive total cost of ownership compared to traditional fossil fuel technologies,” added José López-Gallego, COO of Versallis Tech Services.
Rounding out the feedback on the evaluation, the key opinion of the test truck driver enthusiastically admitted that “it drives like diesel…I like it!”
Brummionline