Hyliko, Qair, and the Occitanie Region present a positive mid-term assessment of the HyT44 1st Edition hydrogen truck trials, launched on March 17, 2026, at the hydrogen refueling stations in Béziers and Narbonne, located at the intersection of the A9 and A75 highways. To date, this unique experiment in France has allowed three transport operators to test – free of charge and in real-world conditions – a decarbonized mobility solution tailored to the demands of long-haul road transport.
Since the launch, the vehicle has already covered nearly 3,000 kilometers, preventing the emission of 2.5 tons of CO₂ and saving nearly 1,000 liters of diesel. These environmental performance metrics align with Occitanie’s decarbonization ambitions, as transport is the region’s largest greenhouse gas emitter. Hydrogen mobility thus plays a crucial role in achieving the region’s climate goals.
Concrete and promising results on the ground
After several weeks of operation, initial feedback confirms the relevance of hydrogen for intensive use:
- Autonomy compatible with daily transport routes
- Fast (max. 20 min) and clean refueling, with no impact on operational cycles
- Seamless integration into existing logistics operations
- Driver comfort praised by operators
Feedback from Jimenez Transport & Location
” These trials confirm hydrogen’s potential for our business. We tested the vehicle in real-world conditions, with strong performance in autonomy and fast refueling. The driving comfort, power, and quiet cabin are also major advantages for our teams, ” explains Valérie Jimenez, President of the Jimenez Group.
Operational Hydrogen Stations at the Heart of the Corridor
The success of these tests relies on high-performance infrastructure, operated in part by Qair, a key player in renewable hydrogen deployment.
The Béziers and Narbonne stations, recently commissioned (with official inaugurations upcoming), enable fast and reliable refueling.
They supply up to 600 kg of renewable hydrogen per day, serving light vehicles, buses, trucks, coaches, and other intensive mobility applications. These stations complement the region’s existing network, which includes Blagnac, Toulouse-Sud, and Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe.
With this initiative, the Occitanie Region, Hyliko, and Qair demonstrate the effectiveness of an integrated approach, combining production, distribution, vehicles, and services. Alongside this ecosystem, the transport operators involved in the trials play a pivotal role: as pioneers, they are paving the way by testing these solutions and gradually engaging their clients, partners, and suppliers in this decarbonization drive.
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