While battery electric vehicle (BEV) development is a major focus for most automakers, there has been a resurgence in announcements regarding the development of battery electric vehicles recently. hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV), as well as many competitors in the race to develop hydrogen internal combustion engines. engine technology (ICE).
This includes a number of industry partnerships including a partnership between Toyota and Kenworth, a joint venture including Stellantis, Michelin and Faurecia with Symbio, technology sharing between Honda and Isuzu, and a consortium of Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha.
Mindful of the driving range and recharging rate limits of electric propulsion for heavy vehicle applications, the largest global automaker, Toyota, has revealed a two-pronged attack on the use hydrogen as fuel for those vehicles.
The Japanese manufacturer has developed specialized FCEV hydrogen propulsion systems to be incorporated into the vehicles but has also developed together with Kenworth Trucks a kit of retrofits for diesel-powered vehicles to convert them. into hydrogen fuel cell power.
This kit is essentially an exchange that replaces the diesel or gasoline engine with a hydrogen fuel cell system and an electric motor powertrain. The kit was recently certified for general use by the California government and one of 10 such vehicles in the world debuted in Australia last week at the Brisbane Truck Show.
Meanwhile, Stellantis is making a more coordinated move towards FCEV hydrogen due to customer demand, as research conducted by the company has shown that its battery-powered truck line doesn’t offer enough range vi for certain customers.
To solve this problem, Stellantis, which already has a number of FCEV hydrogen trucks available in Europe under different brands, has joined forces with professional hydrogen fuel cell manufacturer Symbio in a joint venture with Michelin. and Faurecia, capturing a third of the new market share. Business Unit.
Symbio plans to produce 50,000 fuel cells per year by 2025 with production commencing in the second half of 2023.
The company plans to implement the HyMotive project, which aims to accelerate industrialization and develop technology that will enable the company to reach an annual production capacity in France of 100,000 hydrogen fuel cell systems by 2028.
Stellantis also aims to strengthen its “leading position” in the hydrogen vehicle sector by supporting the production of fuel cell vans in France. The acquisition also serves as a neat addition to Stellantis’ growing portfolio of battery-powered electric vehicles.
Further developments on the road to hydrogen fuel cells include Isuzu choosing Honda as a partner to develop and supply the fuel cell system for its FCEV heavy-duty truck, which is scheduled to launch. in 2027.
Both companies believe that fuel cell technology, using hydrogen as a CO2-zero fuel, will be effective for achieving carbon neutrality for heavy-duty trucks on long-haul routes that require heavy traffic. Quick refueling.
Having originally signed an agreement in January 2020 to conduct joint research on FCEV heavy-duty trucks, Honda and Isuzu are now at the testing and validation stage, using a prototype vehicle on public roads. .
Both Honda and Isuzu say they will harness each other’s strengths to accelerate the development of clean, low-noise and low-vibration hydrogen-powered trucks.
Solving the dilemma associated with battery-powered electric motorcycles, four major Japanese manufacturers – Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Yamaha – have teamed up to gain approval from the Japanese government to pursue hydrogen propulsion. for small moving applications.
Reading between the lines, the consortium does not recommend an FCEV system that uses hydrogen as a gaseous or liquid fuel injected into an internal combustion engine.
To this end, Yamaha is poised to enter the hydrogen ICE game as it has partnered with Toyota on several hydrogen combustion engine prototypes.
Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has approved a plan by four manufacturers to form a technology research consortium called HySE (Small Hydrogen Mobility & Engine Technology).
In a joint statement, HySe said that research and development that will target the commercialization of mobility with hydrogen-powered engines－considered next-generation energy sources is gaining momentum.
HySE admits: “However, the use of hydrogen poses technical challenges, including fast flame speeds and large ignition zones, which often lead to unstable combustion and limited fuel tank capacity. for use in small maneuvering vehicles”.
“To address these issues, members of HySE are committed to conducting fundamental research, leveraging their rich expertise and technology in the development of gasoline-powered engines, and aiming at partnering with a common mission to set design standards for small-vehicle hydrogen engines. the statement said.
“The members of HySE will continue to strengthen their partnership to provide more micro-mobility options to users and meet their diverse needs, thereby contributing to the realization of a better society. decarbonize.
Various aspects of using hydrogen as a fuel will be undertaken individually by the association members, including research into the function, performance and reliability of hydrogen-powered engines and how they work. of the refueling system.
