HyTANKa® Launch Marks Step-Change in Hydrogen Refuelling for Off-Road Construction

ULEMCo, a Liverpool-based pioneer in hydrogen innovation, has just rolled out a game-changing solution for the construction world: HyTANKa®. Unveiled on June 2, 2025, this mobile hydrogen refuelling unit is tailor-made for tough, off-grid construction sites — you know, the ones where getting fuel in and out is half the battle.

Bringing Mobile Hydrogen to the Worksite

Let’s face it — construction is a beast to decarbonize. The heavy-duty machinery, unpredictable workflows, and lack of infrastructure at early-stage sites all make switching to cleaner energy a serious headache. But that’s exactly what HyTANKa® is built to tackle.

Think of it like a modern-day diesel bowser, except instead of fossil fuel, you're getting compressed hydrogen at up to 350 bar. It’s fully road-legal (thanks to ADR compliance) and serves up fuel to both dual-fuel and hydrogen-powered machines. Even better, it works both ways: HyTANKa® can refuel equipment on site, or top itself up from bulk or low-pressure hydrogen sources — no fixed infrastructure required.

Not stopping there, the unit runs on its own hydrogen dual-fuel engine, so even the act of delivering clean fuel doesn’t dirty the air. It's a smart step toward deeper industrial decarbonization — not just in how we power equipment, but also in how we support it.

Tested and Proven in the Real World

This isn't a prototype gathering dust in a lab. HyTANKa® has already shown what it’s made of through field trials in the Element 1 project, backed in part by the UK’s Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). During testing, it successfully refuelled 20-tonne dual-fuel hydrogen excavators on actual job sites, delivering multiple top-ups per day and slotting seamlessly into day-to-day operations.

Its official commercial debut is happening on June 5, 2025, at the HEA 2025 Annual Conference at the QEII Centre in London — a big moment for a sector in need of big breakthroughs.

A Real Fix for the Hydrogen Refuelling Gap

Let’s be honest — hydrogen-powered machines have been around for a minute, but getting the fuel to the site? That’s been a huge sticking point, especially early on in big construction projects or remote zones where plugging in isn’t really an option.

ULEMCo is changing the game by cutting the cord from fixed infrastructure altogether. HyTANKa® borrows the proven logistics of diesel fuel delivery and gives it a zero-emissions upgrade — a huge step forward for sustainable energy in rugged industries. And this goes well beyond construction. Think mining, forestry, ports — anywhere refuelling is a logistical nightmare, HyTANKa® could be the missing link in hydrogen infrastructure deployment.

Leading with Experience — and Real-World Impact

This isn't ULEMCo’s first rodeo. They’ve already delivered hydrogen-powered road sweepers for Aberdeen City Council and even rolled out the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled ambulance — a showstopper at COP26. HyTANKa® builds on that momentum, leveraging ULEMCo’s core expertise in converting combustion engines to run on hydrogen and diesel using smart dual-fuel technology.

They’ve also partnered with industry heavyweights like Skanska under the ZECHER project to convert excavators, all while securing support from the UK’s Net Zero Innovation Portfolio (NZIP). In short, they’re not just talking about zero-emission technology — they’re out there making it work in the real world, overcoming the hard limitations that slow down industrial decarbonization.

No Compromises: Clean Fuel Without the Downtime

Here’s the kicker: while battery-powered machines often need time-outs for charging, hydrogen dual-fuel gear doesn’t miss a beat. HyTANKa® keeps the fuel flowing without sacrificing performance — a huge win for project timelines and uptime targets. That means you get zero-emission technology without rewriting how the job gets done.

ULEMCo isn’t out to reinvent the wheel — they’re just making it roll cleaner. Which is why this solution fits into existing workflows so naturally. That kind of seamless fit is exactly what’s needed for widespread adoption across industries built around hard, heavy work.

What’s Next? Paving the Way for Broader Hydrogen Adoption

As the UK — and the world — races toward its net-zero targets, decentralized hydrogen solutions like HyTANKa® are quickly becoming the backbone of a workable, low-emission future. Once green hydrogen becomes even more affordable and widespread, expect platforms like this one to anchor everyday operations in sectors where clean technology used to feel out of reach.

Bottom line? HyTANKa® fills a critical gap in the hydrogen fuel chain. Shaped by real-world challenges and proven on the ground, it’s not just a stopgap — it's what the next phase of hydrogen logistics looks like. Welcome to the future of hydrogen infrastructure and sustainable energy in heavy industry.