Kenworth and Peterbilt's Zero-Emissions Fuel Cell Trucks 🚛
Kenworth and Peterbilt, two leading manufacturers of heavy-duty commercial trucks, have partnered with Toyota to develop and commercialize zero-emissions, hydrogen fuel cell trucks. The partnership between the companies will use Toyota's next-generation hydrogen fuel cell modules to power the Kenworth T680 and Peterbilt 579 models.
The partnership between the companies has been ongoing for several years, with a successful pilot program deploying ten Kenworth T680 fuel cell electric trucks at the Port of Los Angeles. The program provided Kenworth and Toyota with real-world feedback, enabling them to enhance the performance and range of the vehicle.
Toyota's heavy-duty fuel cell electric powertrain kit has recently received Zero Emission Powertrain certification from the California Air Resources Board, making it an ideal choice for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles. Toyota plans to begin assembly of the modules in the United States in late 2023, with trucks becoming available in 2024 and 2025.
Kenworth has announced that it is accepting deposits for its first zero-emissions Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell truck, the T680. The truck is powered by Toyota fuel cell technology and has a range of up to 450 miles, depending on driving conditions. Kenworth dealers in the United States and Canada are now accepting deposits for the first T680 builds, with initial customer deliveries planned for 2024 and serial production set for 2025.
Peterbilt has also announced the addition of hydrogen fuel cell technology for its heavy-duty truck line-up, with FCEV zero-emissions vehicles set to be available in 2025. The company plans to leverage the lessons learned by Paccar on earlier hydrogen fuel cell projects to broaden its zero-emissions powertrain solutions. According to Scott Newhouse, Peterbilt chief engineer, hydrogen fuel cells are an excellent solution for longer-range applications, as they power the vehicle and recharge the batteries in the propulsion system, providing more range without additional battery weight. The advanced vehicles are designed for optimal performance in longer-haul applications.
Overall, the partnership between Kenworth, Peterbilt, and Toyota represents a significant step towards reducing emissions in the heavy-duty commercial truck industry, with zero-emissions, hydrogen fuel cell trucks set to become an increasingly viable option for fleet operators in the coming years.
