Volvo Trucks (not to be confused with Volvo Cars) already sells battery-electric commercial trucks, but is currently experimenting with hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
On Monday, the company unveiled its first fuel cell trucks, with a 600-mile range, 15-minute refueling time and 65-ton carrying capacity. According to a Volvo press release, the truck uses two attached fuel cells with a combined output of 300 kW provided by Cellcentric, a joint venture between the Volvo Group and Daimler AG.
Volvo FH . hydrogen fuel cell semi truck
Volvo is taking a pragmatic approach to fuel cells, which is merely one of three options for reducing emissions alongside batteries and renewable fuels such as biogas. Rather than try to create a rapid growth rate, Volvo says customer test programs will begin in a few years, with commercialization by the end of the decade.
According to Volvo, the slow speed is partly due to a lack of fueling infrastructure and green hydrogen. Only green hydrogen, produced with renewable energy, provides emissions benefits. Other production methods can still use quite a bit of carbon.
Development momentum for fuel cell vehicles has largely shifted from passenger cars to commercial trucks, with several manufacturers’ development programs underway.
Volvo FH . hydrogen fuel cell semi truck
Daimler is working with Cummins to converted some of its old trucks to fuel cell power, and there are plans for a hydrogen fuel cell sale further later this decade. Much sooner, Synthetic engine is planning to help provide fuel cells to Navistar for a long-haul truck project.
Toyota has been testing selling fuel cell prototypes at the Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach for several years, and has a plan manufacture of fuel cells in the United States for use in semi-finals.
California is emerging as a US fuel cell truck deployment hub. Hyundai is planning to test its Xcient Fuel Cell truck in the state, and a commercial group wants to bring 70,000 fuel cell trucks on the roads of California by 2035.
