Finland to acquire first hydrogen-powered truck for educational use in Oulu

Finland’s first hydrogen-powered truck will arrive in Oulu, as the educational consortium OSAO, Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and the University of Oulu plan to acquire the hydrogen truck in 2025. The vehicle will be used for educational purposes at OSAO, while the university and the applied sciences institution will also delve into research concerning this innovative vehicle.

According to project manager Marjaana Komi from OSAO’s VISIOK project, there are currently no hydrogen trucks operating in Finland, and no other similar projects have been reported. The initiative will pave the way for specialized professionals trained in the maintenance of hydrogen trucks, including familiarity with fuel cell engines.

“We need the truck to establish a new learning environment,” Komi explains. “Future vocational graduates will be able to promote sustainable development and work with cutting-edge technologies.” Additionally, research on hydrogen vehicles from the University of Oulu may inform future educational environment designs, propelling the project forward.

The research team is particularly interested in the truck’s functionality, economics, and fuel consumption in Northern Finnish conditions. “The technology required for hydrogen vehicles already exists; it’s just a matter of implementing it,” asserts Jouni Juntunen, associate professor at the University of Oulu’s business school.

Komi emphasizes the importance of staying competitive in this developing field. “Hydrogen freight transport is already playing a significant role in Europe, and we see its importance increasing here in Finland too. We want to be part of this evolution,” she states. Funding for the hydrogen economy collaboration, including the truck acquisition, has been secured from sources like the European Union.

Currently, OSAO, the University of Oulu, and OAMK are assessing the availability of hydrogen trucks and preparing for an upcoming tender process, with anticipated expenditures reaching hundreds of thousands of euros. Juntunen estimates that hydrogen could prove to be a cheaper fuel option compared to gasoline or diesel, potentially saving heavy transportation nearly €200,000 annually.