Set to be assembled by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK), the dual fuel cell modules including Hexagon Purus hydrogen storage and battery systems, will be sold to heavy-duty truck manufacturers for use in Class 8 trucks.
The high voltage battery pack manufactured by Hexagon Purus for Toyota’s heavy-duty fuel cell electric powertrain kit has 693V max system voltage, maximum installed capacity of 247kWh and a typical usable capacity of 218kwh
TMNA was recently granted a Zero Emission Powertrain (ZEP) executive order from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its latest heavy-duty fuel cell powertrain, aimed at helping truck OEMs and operators meet increasingly strict emissions regulations in the state.
Hexagon Purus and TMNA have worked together on Class 8 fuel cell electric powertrains since 2017, where they initially developed the proof of concept Alpha truck for use in Californian ports.
Jay Sackett, Chief Engineer, Advanced Product Planning Officer, TMNA, said by combining Toyota’s fuel cell stacks with Hexagon’s components, the company can provide a “one-stop solution” for customers.
“We are entering a new era in our collaboration with Toyota supplying components for its fuel cell powertrain kits, to help pave the way for zero emission commercial transportation,” added Todd Sloan, Executive Vice-President of Battery Systems and Vehicle Integration at Hexagon Purus.
Earlier this month, Toyota alongside FuelCell Energy (FCE) officially opened the Tri-gen project in the Port of Long Beach. Using biogas to produce electricity, hydrogen and water, the system will fuel Toyota’s hydrogen systems, provide water to clean vehicles and electricity to support its wider port operations.
Read more: FCE and Toyota Tri-gen project officially opened in Port of Long Beach
Furthermore, the vehicle OEM re-established its Californian R&D office as its new hydrogen headquarters to provide a space for fuel cell and other hydrogen product R&D.
Toyota’s goals for a hydrogen Olympic legacy at Paris 2024
© Toyota Motor Europe
The 2024 Paris Olympic Games will be the “ideal” event to showcase what hydrogen can do to decarbonise the mobility industry, according to Toyota Motor Europe’s R&D Vice-President.
Thiebault Paquet claimed the company wants to “promote sustainable mobility for all” via its 100% electrified passenger fleet, which he believes will create a “legacy.”
In March (2024), Toyota began deliveries of over 2,600 electrified passenger vehicles to serve the event’s transport, with 500 of them being the hydrogen-powered Mirai. The company agreed to support both the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2023, acting as the worldwide mobility partner of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the International Paralympic Committee.
As part of the delivery, more than a dozen of the fuel cell CaetanoBus will be included, two with layout completely modified inside, to allow for wheelchair accessibility for a full Paralympic team.
“We wanted to show our multi-pathway thinking – we have a lot of technologies, from battery electric to fuel cells and solutions like hybrid and plug-in hybrid. We will provide most of the transport fleet for Olympic and Paralympic Games Paris 2024…
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