Julian Klaaßen, Project Manager Net Zero 2035 at Hamburg Airport, said: "Converting existing vehicles is a realistic and scalable means of gradually making our ground services CO2-free, which is crucial to our climate strategy." Although hydrogen baggage tugs were tested in 2019, this is the first time an existing vehicle has been converted for use with hydrogen.
Hydrogen-driven baggage tugs now being tested at Hamburg Airport - possible blueprint for zero-emission ground handling
Hamburg Airport is testing a baggage-tug which has been converted to hydrogen, a press release said Wednesday (July 9, 2025). The test, which will last several months, should show how existing vehicle fleets can be operated emission-free. The prototype is being tested this summer for technical functionality, consumption and cost-effectiveness.
Conversion instead of new purchase
Studies prove the benefits of hydrogen
The test phase is part of the EU-funded BSR HyAirport project involving Hamburg Airport and airports across the Baltic Sea region. Two recent studies have shown that for vehicles with high energy requirements such as baggage tugs or winter service vehicles, hydrogen is a more suitable option than electric drives. Short refuelling times and constant performance at low temperatures are advantageous, the study found. The pilot phase in Hamburg will demonstrate whether these findings can be confirmed in practice. If so, the results could serve as a model for other European airports.
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