U.S. based hydrogen fuel cell technology start up, Hyzon has launched a single stack 200kW fuel cell system and powertrain packaged into a prime mover with the aim of winning business from heavy-duty fleet operators around the country.
The truck which the company is calling the Hyzon 200kW Prime Mover, was officially unveiled atMelbourne’s Kangan Institute Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE).
Although the truck unveiled at the launch was sporting Hyzon’s refreshed branding, the 200kW PrimeMover, uses the company’s fuel cell system and electrical driveline packaged into a prime mover which we believe is a DAF cabover prime mover, which was apparently sourced locally, then stripped and refitted with the Hyzon fuel cell electric driveline.
Hyzon says its integrated fuel cell technology and 200kW EV powertrain and added that it expects to deploy 200kW cabovers in Europe and 200kW conventional vehicles in the U.S. later this year.
“This is Hyzon at its best,the Hyzon 200kW Prime Mover provides our customers with a powerful, zero- emission option for their fleets, showcasing our expertise in crafting state-of-the-art FCEVs,” said Hyzon CEO Parker Meeks.
According to Meeks, the single stack 200kW fuel cell system also may allow Hyzon to bring the same technology to industrial ecosystems beyond trucking, including mining, rail, marine, stationary power generation, and airport ecosystems.
“Hyzon is harnessing the power of hydrogen to deliver zero-emission energy where it is needed most,” he added.
The single stack 200kW fuel cell system for the Prime Mover was manufactured at Hyzon’s U.S. production facility in Bolingbrook in Illinois.
The company says this system is expected to reach start of production in the second half of this year, andgenerates 200kW of power output from a single fuel cell stack.
Given even battery electric prime movers from Daimler, Volvo and Scania are already offering power outputs in excess of 300kw (400hp) and the general fleet demand for single trailer prime mover power is north of 380kW (500hp) then we aren’t sure Hyzon’s 200kW truck is going to satisfy the industry’s needs.
Hyzon says that reaching 200kW of power from a fuel cell typically requires two small units stacked together, but the company has engineered a single stack 200kW fuel cell system that it claims is 30 per cent lower in weight and volume and estimated to be 25 per cent lower in total fuel cell system cost, compared to two of its 110kW fuel cell systems combined.
The company claims that by integrating high-power, compact fuel cell systems into familiar vehicle builds, itplans to offer a zero-emission option to fleets that can match the operational expectations of a diesel truck.
Hyzon Australia managing director, John Edgley, said the Hyzon Prime Mover was designed and assembledlocally, which is a testament to the skills and capabilities of the company’s local workforce.
As part of Truck and Bus News’ fact checking we question this claim, given the prime mover fitted with the Hyzon system was most likely a Paccar DAF, which we believe the company bought as a used vehicle before refitting the driveline and refurbing it. We approached Paccar Australia for comment, however the company spokesman would not comment apart from saying that Hyzon had not sourced the truck from Paccar directly.
“We are assembling zero-emission heavy vehicles right here in Melbourne, Australia, using local skills and employing local people,” said Edgley.
We presume that the company means that they assembled the new driveline and fitted it to the truck locally to what is potentially originally a Dutch built truck.
“Hyzon established Australia’s first purpose-built assembly plant in Melbourne’s Southeast in 2021 to capitalize on the wealth of homegrown industry skills left behind when several global automotive businesses shut down their regional operations,” Edgley claimed.
“We have grown our team to more than 50 local employees, including engineers, fabricators, welders, and designers to put this new 200kW vehicle on the road,” Edgley added.
According to Edgley, the 200kW Prime Mover is expected to revolutionise Australia’s heavy-duty transport market and is an important step in solving a uniquely
“Australian” problem: conquering heavier payloads and longer distance requirements – without emissions.
“We look forward to working with transport operators across Australia and New Zealand as we move forward with the decarbonization of our transport sector,” he added.
Speaking at the event, Hyzon chief technical officer (CTO) Dr. Christian Mohrdieck addressed the unique design elements of the Hyzon fuel cell and fuel cell system.
“Hyzon designs and manufactures fuel cell technology from the ground up. We apply our advanced engineering capabilities throughout the system – from the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), the heart of the fuel cell system, to the balance of plant to the software,” said Mohrdieck.
“This allows us to build a fuel cell system that fits the performance and durability needs of heavy-duty applications such as a commercial trucking,” he added.
“The fuel cell system and powertrain integration and assembly work on our Prime Mover here in Australiademonstrates the skill of our local team, and the accelerated
product development cycle highlights the advantage of Hyzon’s strong global and functional collaboration,” he said.
As the host of Hyzon’s 200kW Prime Mover event, Kangan Institute CEO Sally Curtain affirmed Kangan’scollaboration partnership with Hyzon.
“Kangan Institute, through our Automotive Centre of Excellence is thrilled to continue our partnership with Hyzon, dedicated to advancing Australia’s clean energy sector,” said Curtain.
“Together, we are developing specialized skills and knowledge for hydrogen fuel cell training programs,” said Curtain. “This collaboration accelerates the commercial deployment of heavy-duty FCEVs in Australia, driving sustainable innovation in transportation,” she said.
Hyzon says its 200kW Prime Movers are expected to operate on Australian and New Zealand roads later in 2024.
