UK – Glasgow-based start-up manufacturer Hydrogen Vehicle Systems Ltd (HVS) attended the Cenex 2024 expo held at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, UK (4-5 September). T&BB spoke to Vanessa Kelly, Head of Corporate Relations at the company who told us that HVS is entering another funding (Series B) round in October this year as the engineers continue to forge ahead with its attribute prototype (AP) build. The initial build of the first of the prototype rigs at the Silverstone site will shortly be despatched to UTAC for the initial rig testing. The build of several other APs is currently underway. Kelly told us that the company is also in the process of setting up a testing rig at the UTAC Millbrook facility.

The company has announced multiple trials including with Irish frozen logistics company, McCulla Transport (Ireland) Ltd which will be trialling HVS HFC trucks at three of its facilities in Lisburn, Dublin and Mallusk in late 2025. UK building materials manufacturer, Mannok Build Ltd, is also set to trial the HGVs in Q4 2025. The companies will be able to assess the performance of the vehicles and explore the potential of integrating some vehicles into their fleets. In addition to the vehicle trial, the test encompasses refuelling infrastructure, finance options, government incentives and warranty coverage. HVS has consistently claimed that its trucks will be available to the market in late 2025. Kelly told us that the company has signed a deal to supply 30 fuel cell HGVs to UK logistics company, Explore Plant & Transport Solutions in 2025. Furthermore, the agreement encompasses a maintenance, servicing and driver training (safe use of hydrogen) contract.