The companies join Volvo Group in supporting the H2Accelerate Trucks project, following the departure of Iveco and Shell, both of which were founding members.

Backed by €30m ($35.6m) from the Clean Hydrogen Partnership, the pilot-scale project aims to deploy 125 hydrogen trucks with more than 20 fleet operators, gathering real-world operating data ahead of any potential commercial rollout.

The trucks would be supporting refuelling partners Everfuel, TotalEnergies, and the oil and gas firm’s joint venture with Air Liquide, Teal Mobility.

However, the departure of Iveco and Shell reflects the wider challenges being faced in hydrogen mobility. Shell has scaled back its hydrogen refuelling ambitions, while Iveco’s US fuel cell truck partner, Nikola, filed for bankruptcy last year.

Neither company has commented on their departure from the H2Accelerate project.

Hyliko, a French hydrogen and truck-as-a-service firm, said it plans to expand beyond from its deployments in France to help build a “European ecosystem.”

Tony Sandberg, Vice-President of Scania’s Pilot Partner programme, said the project would help the Swedish OEM “learn more on how hydrogen can contribute to a sustainable transport system.”

Hyundai’s Hydrogen Mobility subsidiary said it was excited to share its experience with its Xcient fuel cell trucks, which have been deployed in Europe for several years.

They will join Volvo, which has been developing hydrogen internal combustion engine technology. It originally planned to kick off on-road tests of the technology in 2026.

The company’s Chief Technology Officer, Jens Holtinger, said hydrogen was “necessary” to “enhance European competitiveness and resilience.”