Van der Vlist puts first of three MAN hTGX hydrogen trucks to work

For heavy haulage, fully electric trucks are often still not a workable solution — too heavy, too little charging infrastructure, too limited a range. Dutch exceptional transport specialist Van der Vlist sees hydrogen as the answer. The company has ordered three MAN hTGX hydrogen trucks, the first of which has just been delivered.

A series-produced first

The MAN hTGX is the first — and so far only — heavy truck with a hydrogen combustion engine to enter series production. Unlike a Toyota Mirai or Hyundai Nexo, the hTGX doesn't use a fuel cell to convert hydrogen into electricity, but burns the hydrogen directly. The engine — the MAN H45 — is derived from the well-known D38 diesel, bored out to 16.8 litres and fitted with direct hydrogen injection and spark-plug ignition. The result: 520 hp and 2,500 Nm of torque between 900 and 1,300 rpm.

Practical specs

For fleet managers, the numbers add up:

• Range of around 600 kilometres per fill
• Four tanks behind the cab holding 56 kg of hydrogen at 700 bar
• Refuelling in 10 to 15 minutes, comparable to diesel
• Classified as a zero-emission vehicle under EU rules (less than 1 g CO2/tkm)
• Access to zero-emission zones and the lowest tariff in the Dutch heavy-vehicle toll

An added bonus: kerb weight is lower than a battery-electric equivalent, leaving more for payload — a key argument in heavy haulage.

Why Van der Vlist picks hydrogen

According to Van der Vlist, hydrogen "bridges the gap between diesel and electric". The company already runs three battery-electric trucks and is now adding three hydrogen MANs to its zero-emission fleet. The reasoning is familiar in heavy-haul circles: for long distances with heavy loads, battery-electric still falls short on weight, range and charging time. A hydrogen combustion engine delivers the same driving characteristics as diesel, but without CO2 at the tailpipe.

A broader Dutch movement

Van der Vlist is far from alone. MAN is building an initial run of around 200 hTGX trucks for Germany, Norway, Iceland and the Netherlands. Other Dutch hTGX customers already on the road include Jos Scholman Bedrijven (Nieuwegein, six units) and Vervaeke (Europe's first hydrogen-powered ADR transporter). Zuidema Groep, Roelofs and Fieten Olie are next in line. Many of these purchases are co-funded by the Dutch SWiM subsidy (Hydrogen in Mobility Subsidy Scheme) from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The Netherlands now has around 20 public hydrogen stations, with a growing share also suitable for heavy-duty 700-bar refuelling.

Sources:

• BIGtruck: Also Van der Vlist switches to hydrogen (5 May 2026)
• MAN Netherlands: MAN hydrogen truck product page
• TTM.nl: Jos Scholman first in NL with the MAN hTGX
• MAN press release: MAN hTGX 6x2 for Vervaeke
• TopGear NL: MAN builds first hydrogen combustion truck