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Toyota’s Fuel-Cell Conversion Kit Can Replace Diesel in
U.S., EU
By David Kelly
May
15, 2023
![](images/images_05_23_2023/Toyota_Kenworth.jpg)
California certifies Toyota’s hydrogen fuel-cell
conversion kit for heavy trucks.
Toyota wins approval from California for its hydrogen
fuel-cell conversion kit designed to replace diesel engines.
Toyota
announces its heavy-duty hydrogen-fuel-cell powertrain kit has
received approval from the California Air Resources Board, opening the
door for owners of Class 8 heavy trucks to replace diesel engines with
zero-emission powertrains.
The heavy-truck industry is transitioning away from diesel and toward
zero-emissions alternatives including hydrogen.
The kit is made up of fuel cell stacks, battery packs, electric
motors, a transmission and hydrogen fuel tanks. Toyota worked with a
team at Kenworth to develop the kit using the FCEV powertrain. The
companies built 10 Kenworth T680s with the hydrogen powertrain
installed.
"We believe hydrogen will play a significant role in the emissions
reduction of heavy-duty transport while not sacrificing the distance,
power or fueling times needed to keep these fleet and individual
operators running," says Chris Rovik, executive program manager in
Toyota Motor North America's advanced mobility division.
![](images/images_05_23_2023/toyfc.jpg)
As part of its CARB certification, the trucks were put into service
with customers for practical field development and data collection.
They were deployed to carry cargo between the Ports of Los Angeles and
Long Beach, for example. Shell Oil provided refueling support for the
program.
CARB is driving the elimination of diesel in California, and several
states plan to follow suit. Under a CARB proposal, expected to become
law in California, new big
rigs and other trucks will have to be zero-emissions in 2040.
Under the proposal, manufacturers couldn’t sell new medium- or
heavy-duty trucks fueled by diesel or gasoline that operate in
California, instead turning to electric models powered by batteries or
fuel cells. In
addition, large trucking companies would have to gradually convert
their existing fleets to zero-emission vehicles, buying more over time
until all are zero-emissions by 2042.
"Fuel-cell technology is scalable, and we believe it will take an
increasingly visible and important role in our collective fight to
reduce and eliminate carbon as we move towards a hydrogen society,"
Rovik says.
Toyota’s hydrogen fuel-cell modules are also being integrated into
heavy-duty trucks made by Hyliko for the European market.
Trucks account for 72% of cargo movements in the U.S., and 77% in
Europe. The industry generally views hydrogen fuel cells as a better
substitute for diesel than batteries. The lower mass of hydrogen
systems allows for heavier payloads, while the fast refueling of
hydrogen is essential for heavy commercial transport.
Hydrogen fuel-cell powertrains have been around for decades, but
scaling the technology has always been thwarted by lack of refueling
infrastructure. Additionally, most hydrogen is actually produced from
fossil fuels, negating the benefits of running vehicles on hydrogen.
The landscape is changing, though. The
Inflation Reduction Act signed into law last year includes $8
billion for
a program to establish six to 10 regional “hydrogen hubs” around the
U.S.
Hydrogen Impact
Heavy trucks are being considered for conversion from diesel to
hydrogen fuel for several reasons:
-
Environmental
benefits: Hydrogen fuel cells produce zero emissions, which
can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality.
Heavy trucks are some of the biggest polluters on the road, and
transitioning them to hydrogen can help mitigate the environmental
impact of these vehicles.
-
Energy
efficiency: Hydrogen fuel cells have greater energy
efficiency than internal-combustion engines, which means they can
provide more power for the same amount of fuel. This makes them a
potentially more cost-effective option for heavy trucks, which
require a lot of power to transport heavy loads.
-
Regulatory
pressure: Many governments are implementing regulations to
reduce emissions from heavy trucks, and hydrogen fuel cells can help
companies meet these regulations.
-
Reduced
dependence on fossil fuels: Hydrogen can be produced using
renewable sources of energy, such as solar or wind power, in turn
reducing the dependence on fossil fuels for transportation.
-
Potential for
longer driving range: Hydrogen fuel cells have the
potential to provide longer driving ranges compared to
battery-electric vehicles, an important consideration for heavy
trucks that need to travel long distances without stopping for
recharging.
Overall, the conversion to hydrogen fuel for heavy trucks is a
promising solution for reducing emissions and improving the
sustainability of transportation.
Green Play Ammonia™, Yielder® NFuel Energy.
Spokane, Washington. 99212
www.exactrix.com
509 995 1879 cell, Pacific.
exactrix@exactrix.com
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