Powertech Labs introduced a new hydrogen distribution solution designed to address one of the biggest challenges facing the hydrogen transportation market: moving more fuel at a lower delivered cost.
The company unveiled what it describes as the industry’s first smart, high-capacity, high-pressure hydrogen tube trailer, capable of transporting up to 1,050 kilograms of gaseous hydrogen at 517 bar, during a press event at ACT Expo 2026. Built on a 48-foot chassis using Type 4 carbon fiber tube technology, the trailer is designed to increase the amount of hydrogen delivered per trip, reducing transportation costs per kilogram while improving logistics efficiency for hydrogen producers, distributors, and fleet fueling operators.
“For more than 25 years, Powertech Labs has built its reputation on a safety-first approach to the design, testing and validation of critical energy infrastructure,” said Pierre Poulain, president and CEO of Powertech. “That commitment carries through to this achievement — the hydrogen industry’s first smart high capacity, high pressure hydrogen tube trailer — focused on what truly enables scale: practical logistics and predictable cost.”
Poulain said the trailer is designed to move more hydrogen per trip while maintaining the safety principles that have guided Powertech’s work for decades.
The trailer’s design centers on an open-frame architecture with 16 tubes separated into two modules. Powertech said the configuration reduces the number of connections, minimizing potential leak points while keeping all tubes visible and unobstructed. The open design also improves ventilation, supports visual inspections, and simplifies access for monitoring and maintenance during transport, loading, and offloading.
An onboard control system continuously monitors pressure, temperature, flow, and overall system health. During loading and offloading, the system provides real-time control and is designed to automatically close isolation valves if operating conditions approach predefined safety thresholds. Powertech said the system reduces reliance on manual intervention and helps minimize the potential for human error.
Typical loading and offloading cycles can be completed in approximately two hours, allowing operators to use the trailer’s full capacity.
Beyond bulk hydrogen transport, Powertech said the trailer can support flexible fueling configurations. When paired with the company’s H35 dispenser, the system can directly cascade fuel to H35 hydrogen vehicles without requiring onsite compression infrastructure. The trailer’s automation system optimizes cascade performance and can deliver up to 750 kilograms of hydrogen at 517 bar.
Powertech said that capability makes the system a fit for early-stage hydrogen mobility projects, transit agencies, fleet operators, and temporary or mobile fueling deployments. The company positioned the trailer as a bridge between pilot projects and scaled hydrogen infrastructure, effectively serving as a mobile hydrogen pipeline.
The trailer modules are certified by DOT, Transport Canada, ABS, and ISO 11515, and are approved for road, rail, and marine applications. Designed, built, and tested to Powertech’s safety and quality standards, the smart hydrogen tube trailer made its first major public industry showcase at ACT Expo 2026.
