Global News Roundup: Daimler Testing Fuel-Cell Truck with Liquid Hydrogen

Daimler Truck over the summer started trials of a fuel-cell electric truck fueled by liquid hydrogen in order to determine how the fuel compares to gaseous hydrogen. 

The prototype truck is based on the first ‘GenH2’ truck tested last year, which used gaseous hydrogen. The new vehicle is refueled at a prototype filling station installed by Air Liquide. Cryogenic liquid hydrogen at minus 253 degrees Celsius fills up two 40 kg tanks mounted on either side of the chassis. The tanks are insulated well enough to negate the need for active cooling for “a sufficiently long time,” according to Daimler Truck. 

Because of the higher energy density than gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen can be stored in smaller and lighter tanks, providing more cargo space and payload. Moreover, liquid hydrogen can be stored in greater quantities, increasing the vehicle’s range. Daimler Truck’s aim is to produce a fuel-cell truck capable of traveling beyond 1,000 km before refueling. 

Hino Falsified Emissions Data Nearly 20 Years

Hino Motors has suspended most of its truck shipments in Japan over a scandal involving falsified emissions data.

Hino, which is 51% owned by Toyota, systematically falsified emissions data dating back as far as 2003, according to an investigation.

In March, Hino said it had identified misconduct concerning the falsification of engine performance data in its emissions durability testing for the A05C (HC-SCR) medium-duty engine, and in the measurement of fuel economy performance in certification tests for two heavy-duty engine models, A09C and E13C. Hino has also confirmed that those engines have problems in

engine performance. Hino has decided to suspend the sale of those three engine models and their corresponding vehicles in Japan.

Engine developers knew they couldn’t meet emissions targets so falsified test results, leading to a chain of deception as other workers covered it up. It included altering durability tests related to emissions on a wide range of models, as well as tampering with fuel efficiency information in heavy-duty engines.

A group of outside experts was set up to investigate and has since discovered additional light-duty engines were also subject to falsified results, bringing the total engines affected to more than 600,000.

According to the Wall Street Journal, so far this has only affected products sold in Japan. The company is cooperating with an investigation under way in the U.S.

News from Around the World

Traton’s modular approach: Navistar’s new S13 Integrated Powertrain is the first demonstration of Traton Group’s new modular approach, which allows for mass customization of broad variant offerings across Traton’s global product range. The modular system of cross-brand development and production means faster time to market and lower production costs, while still allowing for regional adaptation and validation of the powertrain for the North American market. There is a high degree of commonality between the International S13 engine and the Scania 13L recently introduced.

Canada’s EV incentives: The Canadian government has launched a new four-year incentive program offering up to 550 million Canadian dollars to buyers of new medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles that fit the criteria for eligibility.

Making EV batteries: To meet growing demand for battery-electric heavy-duty vehicles and machines, the Volvo Group has started the process to establish a production plant in Sweden to make battery cells designed specifically for commercial vehicle applications. It plans to reach large-scale series production by 2030.

FCEV at IAA: Ballard Power Systems will showcase its latest fuel cell solutions for medium- and heavy-duty trucks at IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover, Germany, in late September: The FCmove-HD+ fuel cell module for mid-sized commercial vehicles and the FCmove-XD concept engine for heavy-duty trucks.

Hotline Global is produced in partnership with UK-based Truck & Bus Builder. This news appeared in the September 2022 issue of Heavy Duty Trucking.