Toyota gears up to make next-gen Fuel Cell Electric Technology for zero-emission trucks

Next generation fuel cell electric system delivers increased efficiency and performance, newest prototype showcases Toyota's commitment to heavy duty fuel cell electric vehicles

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ToyotaToyota is geared up for next-gen products. Its next generation fuel cell electric technology is now powering a new set of Class 8 heavy-duty trucks.

Making use of the same fuel cell system as the all-new 2021 Mirai sedan that goes on sale this month, the engineers at Toyota Motor North America Research and Development have developed a set of production-intent prototype trucks that are being prepared to run drayage routes at the ports of L.A. and Long Beach to validate their efficiency, performance and drivability.

Andrew Lund, chief engineer, Toyota Motor North America Research and Development, said, “This is an important step in the transition to emissions-free heavy-duty trucks.”

He added: “Our first prototype trucks proved that a fuel cell electric powertrain was capable of hauling heavy cargo on a daily basis. These new prototypes not only use production-intent hardware, they will also allow us to start looking beyond drayage into broader applications of this proven technology.”

The new fuel cell electric system in the latest prototypes, designed to be flexible enough to meet the needs of a wide variety of OEM truck makers, has been adapted to a Kenworth T680 chassis.

A more compact hydrogen storage cabinet behind the cab houses six hydrogen tanks with the same capacity as previous prototypes while a new, more powerful lithium-ion battery helps smooth out the power flow to the electric motors.

Fuel cell system

In this configuration, the second generation fuel cell system delivers over 300 miles of range at a full load weight of 80,000 lbs., all while demonstrating exceptional drivability, quiet operation, and zero harmful emissions.

Bringing down airborne pollution at the Ports of L.A. and Long Beach is an important driver of this program. Toyota’s Environmental Challenge 2050 aims to almost completely eliminate CO2 emissions from our vehicles, operations and supply chain by 2050.
Converting the drayage trucks that currently serve these ports to electric drivetrains would move us closer to that goal while improving the quality of life of operators, workers, and communities in and around the ports.

(With inputs from Automotive Lead Research Team)

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