The Port of Bilbao has become the first operational environment to host real-world testing of the H2TowTractor, an innovative hydrogen-powered towing vehicle designed to decarbonize high-intensity logistics activities. Equipped with a retrofit kit that can be easily installed on existing vehicles, the system accelerates the transition to zero-emission operations without the need for a complete overhaul of industrial fleets.
The kit, applied in this trial to an ATA E405AC tow tractor, meets the operational needs of ports, airports and other high-intensity environments, where high power requirements and long recharging times undermine the efficiency of conventional electric vehicles. The key to the project is its plug-and-play technology, based on a retrofit kit that combines an optimized fuel cell and a lithium-ion buffer battery. The system can be easily fitted to vehicles with similar characteristics, reducing investment in new fleets and streamlining regulatory processes.
The consortium partners of the H2TOW project, funded by EIT Urban Mobility, are the AESS (Modena Energy and Sustainable Development Agency), ATA TOW Tractors, Arco Technologies S.R.L., the CAAB (Agro-Food Center of Bologna) and the Basque Mobility and Logistics Cluster. The Port of Bilbao is supporting the trials as part of its efforts to decarbonize port activity, and Bunge Ibérica is hosting the first demonstration at its terminal. Renewable hydrogen has been supplied by Petronor, while IBIL, co-owned by Repsol and the Basque Energy Agency (EVE), will dispense green hydrogen on site and manage refuelling operations. IBIL focuses on mobility using renewable hydrogen.
Key objectives of H2TOW:
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Increase the uptake of hydrogen as an energy carrier in industrial transport.
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Design and manufacture an easy-to-integrate retrofit kit, based on validated technology.
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Facilitate the transition by reducing costs and regulatory barriers.
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Improve the acceptance and perceived safety of hydrogen.
Milestones in deployment in the Basque Country
On 10 November, after its presentation by AESS at the Smart City Expo World Congress in Barcelona, the H2TowTractor arrived at the Port of Bilbao, refuelling at a Petronor hydrogen station on the way and demonstrating the ability of this technology to operate with rapid charging processes and to maintain logistical continuity in high-intensity industrial activities.
The following day, driver training took place at the Bunge Ibérica facilities. Operational staff learnt about driving, safety and refuelling protocols, as well as the specifics of using hydrogen in logistics, ensuring safe and efficient operation from the first day of testing.
The ‘Hydrogen Solutions’ workshop, organized by the Basque Mobility and Logistics Cluster, was held on 20 November, focusing on the deployment of hydrogen as an energy carrier for sustainable mobility and logistics. The event brought together leading experts and companies, who presented real-life cases and innovations related to hydrogen such as the retrofitting of the H2TowTractor, the H2 mobility ecosystem in Bizkaia, the development of renewable hydrogen, storage and distribution technologies, and the conversion of an RTG port crane to fuel cell technology, as well as European funding opportunities to continue moving forwards in the hydrogen industry. The day ended with a demonstration of the H2TowTractor, where those in attendance had the opportunity to see the tractor in operation, consolidating its role as the first operational demonstrator of the project in Europe.
The Port of Bilbao takes centre stage at Enlit Europe 2025
Ivan Jimenez, president of the Bilbao Port Authority, has taken an active part in Enlit Europe 2025, a key event of the energy sector in Europe and held this year in Bilbao.
Mr. Jimenez has been a speaker on the EU Project Talk – Live Podcast “Energy & European Ports”, focused on analyzing the role of European ports in the energy transition and in the deployment of key infrastructure for the decarbonization of maritime transport. The session was moderated by Areti Ntaradimou, Brussels Editor for Enlit Media and EU Projects Officer.
During his speech, the president of the Bilbao Port Authority highlighted the port’s commitment to the electrification of its docks, renewable energy generation, digitalization and energy self-sufficiency, and outlined the progress being made on strategic projects such as the hydrogen hub and ongoing European initiatives. Mr. Jimenez also stressed the need for the European Union to establish clear mechanisms for recognizing and rewarding ports that have already delivered on electrification targets, even when the market, particularly the availability of vessels ready to connect, has yet to be fully developed. He pointed out that failure to do so would risk rewarding inaction, to the detriment of those ports that have invested decisively, taken risks, and contributed their own resources, supplemented by EU funds and, in the case of Bilbao, by the support of the Basque Energy Agency (EVE).
As he himself said, “Europe must support those who have done their homework, not those who are waiting for everything to be resolved”.
The Enlit Europe event in Bilbao has made the city and the Port of Bilbao the focal point of the European debate on energy, innovation and sustainability, further consolidating the port’s role as a benchmark in the Atlantic Arc for energy transition and advanced port policies.
