Hamburg Airport Tests First Hydrogen-Powered Baggage Tugger
Hamburg Airport has initiated a six to nine-month test phase of a hydrogen-powered baggage tugger, the first of its kind at the airport. This initiative, part of the EU-funded BSR HyAirport project, aims to provide insights for other European airports considering similar conversions.
The test involves a Mulag 4CNG baggage tugger, converted to run on hydrogen by HTM Hydro Technology Motors. The vehicle combines a hydrogen combustion engine with an electric drive system, refueled using a mobile tank unit from Ryze Power. The test, set to run during the busy summer months, will assess the economic feasibility of converting existing ground vehicles to hydrogen operation.
The project, coordinated by Hamburg Airport, began in early 2024. Its results are intended to serve as a decision-making basis for other European airports contemplating similar transitions. This is a significant step towards decarbonizing airport operations, aligning with the EU's sustainability goals.
Hamburg Airport's real-world test of a hydrogen-powered baggage tugger marks a crucial milestone in the BSR HyAirport project. If successful, it could pave the way for other European airports to adopt similar technologies, contributing to a greener future for air travel.
