Awarded funding from the DOE, GM will collaborate with Southern Company and Nel ASA to provide a fuel cell prototype truck fleet and develop an integrated hydrogen microgrid for fuelling infrastructure.
The vehicles, built on a similar frame to the 2024 Chevrolet Silverado 5500 MD, will be powered by GM’s HYDROTEC fuel cell systems producing more than 300kW of power and an estimated range greater than 300 miles. Southern Company will use the medium duty trucks as shop vehicles at its worksites in the US.
Together with Southern Company and Nel, GM will integrate a fuel cell-based power generator, with Nel providing its advanced PEM electrolyser to generate onsite hydrogen and power GM’s fuel cells.
The microgrid project, developed by Southern Company’s electric subsidiary Georgia Power and approved the Georgia Public Service Commission, will be located at a Georgia power plant. GM and Nel will produce green hydrogen at off-peak hours and use it to power the site’s operations when grid power is most expensive.
Charlie Freese, Executive Director of Global HYDROTEC, explained that the truck and infrastructure plans will enable a “zero emission solution for heavy and medium-duty truck customers looking to meet their clean energy goals.”
“GM’s advanced fuel cell technology gives these trucks a competitive edge against their diesel counterparts, with comparable towing and payload capabilities,” added Freese.
The US Army’s Ground Vehicle Systems Centre (GVSC) is also supporting the fuel cell development in medium-duty trucks with additional funding.
The initial fleet prototypes have been built in Michigan, with testing taking place at GM’s Milford Proving Ground. GM is expecting its HYDROTEC fuel cells to make an impact in States that are currently changing regulations, such as California.
The California Governor’s Executive Order requires all cars and passenger trucks to be zero emission by 2025, with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) mandated to develop and propose strategies.
The DOE unveiled the SuperTruck 3 programme in 2021, presenting funding opportunities totalling more than $162m to improve efficiency and reduce carbon emissions among cars, trucks, and off-road vehicles.