Gebrüder Weiss Tests its First Hydrogen Truck

Gebrüder Weiss has had a new addition, a hydrogen truck, to its fleet of vehicles since January 25. Instead of using diesel, the Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell model delivered to the Altenrhein branch in Switzerland runs on what is called “green hydrogen”, meaning that this commercial vehicle is able to save around 80 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

– The coronavirus pandemic has diverted attention away somewhat from the climate change challenge, yet the logistics sector is continuing its work with manufacturers to find alternative ways of powering vehicles. With the arrival of our first hydrogen truck, Gebrüder Weiss has once again demonstrated that it also takes a leading role when it comes to sustainable solutions. Our aim is to gain experience using this technology to help us prepare for a situation where it may see wider use – says Wolfram Senger-Weiss, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss.



The Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell is a 36-ton truck designed to transport around 25 tons of goods with a range of around 600 kilometers. The truck is powered by a 350 kilowatt electric motor, which is supplied with electricity produced by means of water chemically reacting with oxygen. Instead of pollutants, all that escapes the tail pipe is water vapor. The Swiss network of hydrogen filling stations is still being built, but it is comprehensive enough to enable use of such vehicles across the whole of eastern Switzerland. At Gebrüder Weiss, the hydrogen truck primarily will be in use for a customer in the renewable energy sector.

According to the manufacturer, 2,000 such hydrogen trucks are due to be produced and delivered by the end of 2021.

– We are proud to be among the first in the world to take receipt of these vehicles. We see the H2 truck as a viable alternative to other drive technologies that exist today and, given the right infrastructure, we intend to use it in Austria and southern Germany in the future – says Wolfram Senger-Weiss.

For Gebrüder Weiss, using the hydrogen truck represents yet another step towards testing environmentally friendly drive technologies in everyday logistics. The logistics company already runs several gas-powered trucks in Austria, Germany and Serbia, as well as fully electric-powered trucks in the greater Vienna and Graz areas. Gebrüder Weiss is also a member of the H2 Mobility Switzerland Association, which designed and implemented the world’s first ecosystem for the practical use of hydrogen to power vehicles.



About Gebrüder Weiss

With more than 7,300 employees, 150 company-owned locations and an annual turnover of 1.7 billion euros (2019), Gebrüder Weiss ranks among Europe's leading transport and logistics companies. In addition to its core business of land transport, air & sea freight, and logistics, the company operates a number of highly specialized industry solutions and subsidiaries under the umbrella of Gebrüder Weiss Holding AG, based in Lauterach (Austria) – including the logistics consultancy firm x|vise, tectraxx (industry specialist for hi-tech businesses), dicall (communications solutions, market research, training), Rail Cargo (railway transports), and the Gebrüder Weiss parcel service GWP, co-shareholder of the Austrian company DPD. This bundling of services allows the corporate group to respond to customer needs quickly and flexibly. Today, having implemented a variety of environmental, economic and social initiatives, the family-run company with a 500-year history is also considered a pioneer in sustainable business practices.

Gebruder Weiss d.o.o. Dobanovci

Gebrüder Weiss

Wolfram Senger Weiss

Hyundai XCIENT Fuel Cell

hydrogen truck

green hydrogen