Last Monday, April 29, 2024, five Icelandic companies signed a letters of intent to purchase MAN hTGC hydrogen trucks.
The deal involves 44 and 49 ton HD trucks. Currently, ON Powerproduces green hydrogen at Hellisheidi geothermal power plant, and Blær is the distributor. The event marked the launch of one of the most significant Icelandic energy transition projects, uniting truck producers, the local dealership, off-takers and H2 production and distribution
For the last 18 months, Icelandic New Energy has worked tirelessly to secure offtake and bring the deal to fruition. Icelandic New Energy was founded in 1999 in connection with the Icelandic government’s declaration of intent to accelerate the use of renewable fuels for transport.
The letters of intent was signed at Hellisheiði power plant, the site of ON Power’s hydrogen production. Kraftur is MAN’s agent in Iceland, and the companies signing on included BM Vallá, Colas, MS Iceland Dairies, Samskip, and Terra. Blær intends to open a new hydrogen station servicing both trucks and passenger cars.
Kraftur has already secured 20 trucks, to be delivered in 2025 and 2026, with the first ones expected in spring 2025. The group is confident the event will inspire more stakeholders to opt for these zero-emission trucks. In 2025, the cars will be available in 6:2=2 version (8 wheel), while the 6:4 (10 wheel) truck will be available starting 2026.
Jón Björn Skúlason, Icelandic New Energy CEO:
“This is one of the single largest energy transition projects in the nation’s history. The fuel consumption of 20 tractor units is equivalent to more than one thousand passenger cars, with annual savings from burning 700,000 L diesel. The deployment of the MAN trucks will mark a giant step towards the decarbonization of heavy transport in Iceland. The next steps involve ensuring both the supply and competitive price of hydrogen for use in transport so that full energy transition can take place.”
