Five Scania hydrogen trucks enter operational service in Switzerland

Four Swiss companies are testing fuel cell technology in real-world transport operations.

On Thursday, 8 October 2026, Scania Switzerland AG handed over five hydrogen fuel cell trucks to four Swiss companies at the SAK ‘Kubel’ hydroelectric power station near St. Gallen. The vehicles will be used by Emmi Switzerland AG, Migros Ostschweiz, Retralog AG and Schwab-Guillod AG in real-world transport operations.

The handover took place as part of the Scania Pilot Partner Programme. Under this programme, Scania works with selected customers to test and further develop new technologies under real-world operating conditions. The insights gained from day-to-day operations are intended to demonstrate how the vehicles perform in various transport tasks and what practical and economic benefits the technology can offer.

“What matters is not just whether a technology works on paper, but how it performs in day-to-day transport operations,” says Francesco Romano, Managing Director of Scania Switzerland AG. “Together with our pilot customers, we are gaining valuable experience and learning about the opportunities and challenges of hydrogen fuel cell technology under real-world conditions.”

Electric propulsion with hydrogen

The Scania hydrogen trucks are equipped with an electric powertrain. A fuel cell system converts hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy, which powers the electric motor. The only direct emission produced is water vapour.

Hydrogen fuel cells can be particularly suitable for applications where long ranges, intensive vehicle utilisation or short downtime periods play a key role.

The four pilot customers are using the five vehicles in total for a variety of transport tasks. This enables all parties involved to gain valuable insights into vehicle availability, energy consumption, range, and the requirements for operation, servicing and maintenance. The customers can assess how the technology can be integrated into their daily transport operations and what practical benefits it offers for their respective applications. At the same time, Scania is gaining important experience for the further technological and operational evaluation of hydrogen fuel cell technology.

Pilot operation rather than series production

The five vehicles are pilot vehicles. They form part of a learning and development process and do not mark the launch of a series-production range of hydrogen lorries. Scania is testing and evaluating the technology together with its customers before any further decisions are made regarding potential wider application.

Battery-electric technology remains Scania’s primary route to the decarbonisation of road transport. At the same time, transport tasks and customer requirements vary considerably. As part of the Pilot Partner Programme, Scania is therefore also examining complementary technologies where they might offer potential for specific applications.

“With these five vehicles, we are laying an important foundation for realistically assessing the technology and evaluating its potential benefits for different transport applications,” explains Francesco Romano.