Dutch Hauler Van der Vlist Adopts Hydrogen Trucks for Heavy-Duty Transport
Groot-Ammers, Monday, 20 July 2026.
Van der Vlist has adopted hydrogen-combustion trucks capable of hauling 65 tonnes over 600 kilometers, proving that heavy-duty transport can eliminate emissions without sacrificing range or refueling speed.
A Strategic Pivot to Hydrogen Combustion
The Dutch heavy and special transport specialist Van der Vlist, headquartered in Groot-Ammers, Netherlands, has officially integrated its first MAN hTGX 28.520 6×2 tractor units powered by hydrogen combustion engines into its fleet [1][2]. This tactical decision bypasses some of the payload and range limitations often associated with battery-electric trucks in heavy-duty sectors [GPT]. The MAN hTGX vehicles boast a robust 520 horsepower and 2,500 Nm of torque, which allows them to handle a gross combination weight of up to 65 tonnes and a cargo capacity of up to 40 tonnes [1][2]. This means that the payload capacity represents approximately 61.538% of the truck’s maximum gross combination weight, a critical ratio for heavy-duty logistics where maximizing cargo weight is essential for operational efficiency [1][GPT].
Financial Backing and Collaborative Maintenance
To support this transition, Van der Vlist secured funding through the Dutch SWIM (Stimuleringsregeling Waterstof in Mobiliteit) subsidy scheme, which was applied for in collaboration with zero-emission infrastructure developer Fountain Fuel [1]. While COO Anton Stam emphasized that the company would continue to invest in fleet sustainability regardless of future subsidy availability, he acknowledged that the SWIM program serves as a valuable catalyst for taking this next step [1]. This acquisition marks the beginning of a larger order of hydrogen-powered trucks, establishing a pilot project designed to rigorously test the viability of hydrogen combustion under real-world, heavy-duty operating conditions [1].