Egide Vandevelde: ‘New Holland sets hydrogen aside for now’

"With the Fuel Cell Hydrogen concept, we worked with a fuel cell that directly converts hydrogen into electricity. A fuel cell is sensitive to vibrations. Therefore, as far as we are concerned, hydrogen is not a solution for mobile vehicles," says Egide Vandevelde, Business Director at CNH Industrial. - Photo: New Holland

Machinery manufacturer New Holland is following a ‘Clean Energy Leader Strategy.’ In other words, the manufacturer aims to take the lead in alternatives to diesel.

Small vehicles are becoming electric, while for larger ones, the options are methane or a hybrid solution. Egide Vandevelde, business director at CNH Industrial, states, “Hydrogen is not a solution for now.”

In 2009, New Holland initially focused on hydrogen, but it is no longer part of the current strategy?

“Hydrogen has high cost and limited autonomy. The Fuel Cell Hydrogen concept, converting hydrogen directly into electricity with a fuel cell, was costly at € 200,000 each. Although the price was expected to decrease to € 50,000 over time, it hasn’t happened. Additionally, fuel cells are sensitive to vibrations, making hydrogen unsuitable for mobile vehicles.”

How about the collaboration with Blue Fuel Solutions, where hydrogen is injected into a diesel engine, and the so-called H2 Dual Power tractor runs on a mixture of both?

“New Holland remains actively involved in that project. However, the tractor is not yet completely CO₂-free. Therefore, we consider it as a transitional technique.”

So, the focus is on electric power up to 100 horsepower, and above that, it’s methane. Why this choice?

“Mainly due to energy density. To replace 600 liters of diesel, you would currently need a battery with a capacity of 10,000 liters. This is expected to improve by 2030, but it won’t go below 4 m³. There is simply no space on a tractor for that. Therefore, we opt for electrification up to approximately 100 horsepower, where less energy is needed for a day’s work.”

How does the development look beyond the 100 horsepower limit?

“We are focusing on methane, preferably biomethane. We have nearly a 270 horsepower tractor ready that, with a front-mounted range extender, carries an amount of gas equivalent to 220 liters of diesel. This model will hit the market in 2025. The next step is liquefied methane (LNG), which poses new challenges, such as storage at -163 degrees. However, the energy density is about twice that of compressed natural gas (CNG). We expect to sell the first of these in 2026.”

And what is meant by a hybrid solution?

“Think of a combination of a methane engine with a generator that produces electricity. We haven’t reached that stage yet.”