Toyota to manufacture fuel cell modules for large hydrogen rigs at Kentucky plant

Toyota, which has sought to market hydrogen electric vehicles for decades, intends to manufacture fuel cell modules at its massive Kentucky automatic assembly plant for use in large rigs and utility vehicles. heavy zero emissions.

The automaker said it is setting up a dedicated line at its Georgetown, Ky. Plant that will begin assembling the electrochemical devices in 2023. Toyota said the dual fuel cell modules produce 160 kilowatts of electricity in continuous and are part of a propulsion system that includes a high-battery, electric motors and hydrogen tanks supplied by partner companies. Toyota is working with its Hino truck subsidiary on hydrogen-powered semi-trailers and will also supply Kentucky-made fuel cell modules to other manufacturers.

“We are bringing our proven electric technology to a whole new class of production vehicles,” said Tetsuo Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, in a statement. “Heavy truck manufacturers will be able to purchase a fully integrated and validated fuel cell electric drive system, allowing them to offer their customers an emission-free option in the Class 8 heavy-duty segment.”

While hydrogen-powered sedans, like Toyota’s Mirai and Honda’s Clarity, haven’t caught on with the mainstream and aren’t readily available outside of California, the technology is quickly ready for use in heavy-duty trucks. and buses. With Toyota and Hino, Hyundai Motor, Volvo, Daimler, Cummins and startups like Nikola, all plan to sell long-haul hydrogen-powered trucks in the next few years. The companies say the technology is better suited for heavy-duty vehicles that travel hundreds of miles per day than massive batteries, such as those required by Tesla’s long-awaited Semi Electric, as the fuel cell powertrain is more lightweight and can be refueled faster. .

Toyota, which has operated fuel cell trucks in the Port of Los Angeles for years, did not say how much it is spending to modify the Georgetown plant to make the fuel cell modules. The facility is the primary source for its best-selling Camry sedan. General Motors is also preparing to produce fuel cell systems for automobiles at a plant in Michigan.

Both fuel cell and battery powered vehicles are electric, sharing the same engines and many other components. The main difference is that batteries store electricity and fuel cells integrate it as needed, as part of an electrochemical process that extracts electrons from hydrogen forced through fuel cell membranes. Apart from electricity, the only by-product is water vapor. Beyond cars and trucks, they have been used by NASA for decades, they function as stationary electricity generators and are being developed to power trains and even ships and ferries.

The conventional hits against hydrogen are that it is not a carbonless fuel since it is traditionally made from natural gas and fueling a vehicle with hydrogen is less efficient than charging a battery. However, a move towards sourcing hydrogen from “green” sources, including surplus renewable energy and water, would make the fuel completely carbon-free, while its production from landfill gas and water. other waste is also presented as a beneficial option for the environment.

Toyota’s fuel cell system for commercial vehicles “delivers over 300 miles of range at a fully loaded weight of 80,000 pounds, while demonstrating exceptional handling, quiet operation and zero harmful emissions,” said David Rosier, powertrain manager at Toyota Kentucky, in a statement. declaration.