Energy company TotalEnergies and industrial gases and services supplier Air Liquide announced today the launch of a TEAL Mobility, a new joint venture aimed at accelerating the development of a hydrogen network for heavy duty trucks across major European corridors.

TEAL Mobility aims to develop more than 100 hydrogen stations over the next decade, creating the first transnational European network of this size, under the TotalEnergies brand. It will operate around 20 stations in France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany from 2024.

Several heavy truck manufacturers have been increasing production of hydrogen fuel trucks to meet sustainability requirements. Hydrogen is considered a more effective fuel source for heavy duty trucks than electricity in some circumstances, such as long-hauls in rural areas where battery charging may be limited. Hydrogen also enables rapid refueling and longer range, while preserving vehicle loading capacity.

The partners announced the initiative to create TEAL Mobility last year, saying that it would  combine TotalEnergies’ expertise in the operation and management of station networks and distribution of energies to BtoB customers, with Air Liquide’s technologies and hydrogen value chain capabilities. In 2022 Air Liquide unveiled plans to invest €8 billion (USD$8.65 billion) in the hydrogen supply chain by 2035.

The company named Florentin de Loppinot as CEO. de Loppinot has been at TotalEnergies for nearly 25 years, serving most recently as Head of Strategy and New Business, EV Charge.

de Loppinot said:

“We believe the best way to predict the hydrogen future is to create it. TEAL Mobility is committed to fast-tracking hydrogen mobility.”