Automakers have tons of time and money into researching and developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. But most drivers aren’t quite ready to swap their gas-powered or hybrid cars for a fuel-cell powered one, so car makers have pivoted their fuel cell know-how to other applications.
Toyota uses fuel cells to power public buses in Japan as part of its Hino commercial vehicle unit, while another division makes fuel-cell forklifts.
This week, Toyota announced a new project to test a hydrogen-powered big rig at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. At major ports, diesel-fueled trucks that move cargo containers around belch large amounts of emissions.
“Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles play a role in California’s efforts to achieve greenhouse gas emission reduction goals, improve air quality, and reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Janea A. Scott, Commissioner, California Energy Commission. “That’s why the California Energy Commission is investing in the refueling infrastructure needed to support adoption of these vehicles. The Commission applauds Toyota for putting this cutting edge technology to use in a heavy-duty freight proof of concept. This demo will show how fuel cells can help support the heavy-duty sector’s efforts to increase efficiency, transition to zero-emission technologies, and increase competitiveness.”
The Project Portal truck concept Toyota unveiled this week is designed to assess the feasibility of using fuel-cell technology in heavy-duty applications such as drayage duties. If successful, Toyota envisions using hydrogen fuel-cell technology to allow trucks to haul freight around ports “quietly, quickly, and without producing any emissions,” it said in a statement.
