Electric vehicles with energy stored in batteries are not suitable for use in heavy trucks due to the range and charging time. Many automakers involved in this road transport sector therefore look to hydrogen. Hyundai came up with an interesting concept, Mercedes revealed his plans recently.
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Kenworth T680 with Toyota fuel cells
Photo: Toyota
However, the currently announced testing will take place in Japan and on a much larger scale. Asahi Group, Seino Transportation, NEXT Logistics and Yamato Transport are participating in the test, and they will use hydrogen trucks simply as regular diesel trucks.
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In addition, Toyota will use the cars to transport parts between its Japanese plants. “Home” is also a test because hydrogen fuel cells will be driven by Hino trucks, one of Toyota’s subsidiaries.
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The aim is, of course, to reduce CO2 emissions from transport. According to the carmaker’s press release, heavy trucks and buses account for 70 percent of all CO2 emissions from commercial vehicles in Japan.
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The three-axle Hino Profia truck, which will run on hydrogen, is to have a range of approximately 600 km per tank filling. Its total weight is 25 tons, but how much of that weight is useful, the carmaker does not state, as well as the power and torque of the electric motor that will drive the wheels.
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Illustration of a hydrogen Hino XL tractor
Photo: Toyota
In addition, it also works on a Class 8 tractor, the highest class with a total vehicle or combination weight of over 33,000 pounds (14,969 kg). The basis is also in the Hino car – a model from the XL series, which was modernized this year. The prototype is to be presented in 2021.
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