Next step to zero-emission road haulage: Volvo unveils own concept of hydrogen truck
Volvo Trucks, the Sweden-based manufacturer, has demonstrated its own concept of the hydrogen-powered heavy goods vehicle, which can travel at a distance of up to 1,000 kilometres without refuelling. This is the third type of zero-emission truck developed by Volvo after the vehicles running on batteries and biogas.
Volvo Trucks has unveiled its concept of a fuel cell electric truck powered by hydrogen. The Swedish company published some pictures of the heavy goods vehicle (HGV), which is currently being tested. In the second half of this decade, the innovative truck will be accessible to the road haulage companies. “Customer pilots will start in a few years from now and commercialisation is planned for the latter part of this decade,” the manufacturer stated.
Suitable for long distances
According to Volvo Trucks, the fuel cell electric HGVs will have an operational range comparable to many diesel analogues, up to 1000 kilometres, and a refuelling time of less than 15 minutes. “Hydrogen-powered fuel cell electric trucks will be especially suitable for long distances and heavy, energy-demanding assignments. They could also be an option in countries where battery charging possibilities are limited,” said Roger Alm, president of the Swedish company.
Generating electricity from hydrogen
One of the key features of the new vehicle is fuel cell technology. With its help, the truck generates its own electricity from the hydrogen onboard instead of being charged from an external source. The two fuel cells, which were supplied by cellcentric, the joint venture between of the Volvo Group and Daimler Truck, have the capacity to generate 300 kilowatts of electricity. The only emitted by-product is water vapour.
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