---
title: "Metallica’s European Tour Rocks Ahead With Electric, Hydrogen Trucks"
date: "2024-03-16"
modified: "2024-03-16"
authors:
  - name: "Kristin V. Shaw"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/kristin-shaw"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/metallica-rocks-europe-on-electric-and-hydrogen-power"
categories:
  - "News"
---

# Metallica’s European Tour Rocks Ahead With Electric, Hydrogen Trucks

![yellow and black truck](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15/1.png>)
*\<em\>Iveco\</em\>*

[Metallica](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/31867/metallica-frontman-james-hetfield-to-exhibit-personal-car-collection-at-petersen-museum>) is one of the greatest rock groups in history. Can you even say that name without throwing up your hands in a heavy metal salute? I say no. Band members [James Hetfield](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/39502/james-hetfields-art-deco-hot-rod-rides-the-lightning-at-the-petersen>), Kirk Hammett, Lars Ulrich, and Robert Trujillo are going to continue rocking the stage this summer in Europe with new custom trucks running on battery-electric and hydrogen power.

[Italian truck manufacturer Iveco](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/41769/italys-expanding-minozio-vans-are-styled-after-bricks>) is building the vehicles that have the honor of hauling Metallica's gear starting in Munich, Germany and traveling across the continent for 14 shows. Along the way, the band will hit Helsinki, Copenhagen, Warsaw and Madrid with its convoy of electric guitars, drum kits, microphones, and amps.

For this tour, Iveco built electric and hydrogen-powered S-eWay and S-Way Metallica Special Edition heavy-duty trucks. Each has black matte bodywork and electric yellow designs to match the brand’s *72 Seasons* album. They look appropriately menacing in pictures and will be unmistakable on the road.

![rock band on stage](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15/3.png>)
*Brett Murray/Metallica*

[As reported by *Jalopnik*](<https://jalopnik.com/metallica-will-go-on-tour-using-electric-and-hydrogen-f-1851333095>), the latest hydrogen-powered fuel-cell EVs from Iveco can go up to 800 kilometers, or nearly 500 miles, before requiring a fill-up. The S-eWay trucks have a range of up to 500 kilometers (311 miles) and the S-Way LNG range is an estimated 1,600 kilometers (994 miles). Metallica will also reportedly use all-electric minibus shuttles made by Iveco at the concert sites.

This isn’t the first time Metallica has shown an interest in the environment. Among other initiatives, the band played in Antarctica last year, using generators powered by a sustainable jet fuel blend.

![3 semi trucks on a yellow stage](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/15/2.png>)
*Iveco*

“The concert itself was held inside a transparent dome, providing a unique acoustic experience while also protecting the pristine surroundings,” [reported *Metal Injection*](<https://metalinjection.net/news/metallica-was-told-not-to-disturb-the-penguins-when-they-played-in-antarctica>) (which is a publication I didn’t know existed until today but will be visiting more often). It had to be the wildest Metallica gig on record, and drummer Ulrich described the concert tent to Conan O’Brien.

"Part of the deal was we couldn't disturb the environment; the penguins and all the incredible wildlife down there,” Ulrich said. “So the only thing you could hear in that tent were acoustic drums and James's vocals."

The band will be [touring stateside again starting in August](<https://www.metallica.com/tour>). They're incredible in concert, so if you haven't seen them live yet, don’t miss them. Meanwhile, go find "For Whom the Bell Tolls" on Spotify (that's my favorite) and get your fists pumping.

*Got a story tip? Send it our way to tips@thedrive.com.*

## Author
Kristin Shaw is the former Weekend Editor for The Drive and a current freelancer in both the automotive and aviation worlds. She’s a big fan of anything car-related and calls on her technology background on the corporate side to explain engineering and high-tech concepts. Now living in her sixth state (New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, Georgia, and now Texas), she is thrilled that working from home is now mainstream.

### Author social links  
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