Metallica switches to hydrogen-electric transports for Europe

The legendary music band will be touring Europe on exclusively eco-friendly vehicles, The Drive reports. Iveco, which signed a contract to supply Metallica with highway semis and fuel cell buses, has already come up with a flashy design for the fleet.

The company will be providing S-Way and S-eWay semis for the traveling concert crew and their equipment. Once fully charged, an electric bus like this has up to 500 km (310 miles) of range. The battery supports charging currents up to 350 kW. The semi that uses hydrogen fuel cells can carry up to 70 kg (154 lbs) of hydrogen gas on board and cover 800 km (497 miles) until it needs to tank up. The whole process will then take roughly 20 minutes.

Iveco announced both powertrains in mid-2023. The company plans to promote them using its well-known S-Way vehicle platform, which lends itself to all kinds of engines from ICE to natural gas to EV.

You will still be able to tell Metallica’s rigs from the rest by their matte black cabs adorned with acid-green graphics. The design is in line with the cover art of 72 Seasons, the band’s latest album released in April 2023. Aside from heavy trucks, the company will be supplying the group with battery-powered minibuses for getting around in cities. The upcoming concert tour will encompass 14 cities across Europe.