Finland’s first hydrogen-powered truck to arrive in Oulu by 2025

Finland’s first hydrogen-powered truck is set to arrive in Oulu. The Oulu Vocational College (OSAO), Oulu University of Applied Sciences, and Oulu University have decided to acquire the hydrogen truck by 2025. The truck will be used for educational purposes at OSAO, allowing both universities to study this new type of vehicle.

“Currently, there are no hydrogen trucks in Finland. There have been no reports of any ongoing projects of this kind,” says project manager Marjaana Komi from OSAO’s VISIOK project. Graduates from OSAO will become specialists trained in the maintenance of hydrogen trucks, familiar with fuel cell engines.

“We need the truck to build a new learning environment. Graduates from vocational education will be able to promote sustainable development and work with the latest technologies,” Komi explains. Future planning of learning environments may also incorporate research from Oulu University related to hydrogen vehicles, advancing the hydrogen truck acquisition.

The research team is particularly interested in the performance, economy, and consumption of the hydrogen truck in Northern Finland’s conditions. “The technology required for hydrogen vehicles already exists, and its adoption is only a matter of time,” states leading researcher Jouni Juntunen from Oulu University’s business school.

Komi emphasizes that Finland should not lag in this development. “Hydrogen truck transport is already playing a significant role in Europe, and we see that its role in Finland will also increase in the future. We want to be part of this growth,” she says.

Funding for hydrogen economy-related collaborations, including the truck purchase, has been secured from the European Union. OSAO, Oulu University, and Oulu University of Applied Sciences are currently exploring the market for hydrogen trucks, with a competitive tender process to follow. Komi estimates that the procurement will involve hundreds of thousands of euros. Hydrogen is anticipated to be a cheaper fuel than gasoline or diesel, with potential fuel savings for heavy transport reaching nearly €200,000 per year, according to researcher Jouni Juntunen.