H2START/Trakia University and the UK-based company Vanguard Sustainable Transport Solutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on hydrogen-electric mobility and retrofit solutions for heavy-duty transport systems. The agreement was signed by Prof. Daria Vladikova, Executive Director of H2START, and Alexander Burrows, CEO of Vanguard, aboard Vanguard’s retrofitted hydrogen locomotive, demonstrating the practical potential of converting existing transport assets to hydrogen propulsion.
The partnership builds on a recent Bulgarian hydrogen delegation visit to the United Kingdom, organized by the British Embassy in Sofia. The delegation included representatives from research and industry partners. During the visit, participants explored practical hydrogen mobility solutions, including Vanguard’s HydroShunter hydrogen locomotive demonstration at Severn Valley Railway.
Retrofitting: turning existing assets into zero-emission transport
A key focus of the cooperation is retrofitting — replacing the conventional propulsion systems of existing heavy-duty vehicles and machinery with hydrogen fuel cell and battery-electric propulsion systems. Instead of replacing entire fleets, retrofit solutions allow operators to upgrade existing assets while eliminating emissions at the point of use.
Why is retrofitting cost-effective and planet-friendly?
Demonstrations such as Vanguard’s HydroShunter show the practical value of this approach:
- Zero emissions and no particulate pollution at the point of use
- Refueling times comparable to diesel
- Up to ~100% reduction in operational CO₂ emissions, depending on duty cycle
- Lower capital costs through reuse of existing assets instead of full replacement
From research to real-world deployment
The cooperation between H2START and Vanguard aims to bridge research and engineering, speeding up the practical deployment pathways for hydrogen mobility in Bulgaria through:
- hydrogen propulsion system integration and testing
- knowledge exchange and training in hydrogen mobility technologies
- feasibility studies and pilot concepts for retrofit solutions in heavy-duty transport
These activities will support the development of the H2START Centre of Excellence for Hydrogen Technologies in Stara Zagora, strengthening its role as a leader in hydrogen research, innovation, and applied engineering in South-East Europe.
By connecting academic research with industrial expertise in retrofit engineering and hydrogen mobility systems, the partnership represents another step toward real-world deployment of hydrogen technologies in transport and heavy industry in Bulgaria and the region.
