Hyzon Launches Fuel-Cell-Electric Conversion Program

Hyzon Motors plans to allow fleets to exchange their used diesel truck chassis for conversion to fuel-cell-electric operation as part of the company’s Repower upfitting program.

After removing diesel components, these used trucks will be upfitted with Hyzon’s proprietary fuel cell system, electric drivetrain, and hydrogen storage system through collaboration with Fontaine Modification.

"The Repower program is a natural solution for our current situation: customers are seeking to urgently reduce emissions, but current supply chain constraints make it very challenging to meet demand. Thanks to the in-house production of our proprietary fuel cells, Hyzon's Repower program can deliver zero-emissions vehicles to customers sooner, with lower cost, and less waste," said Hyzon CEO Craig Knight.

Current lead time for new vehicle chassis ordered today is up to 16 months. Hyzon expects to “repower” vehicles much more quickly, since the company will have direct access to the existing chassis. Repowering an existing vehicle is also expected to reduce customer costs, leading to total cost of ownership at or below diesel parity in California, as a result of available subsidies.

Additionally, the Repower program avoids waste and manufacturing carbon emissions generated by asset renewal, company officials said.

Hyzon's 200 kW hydrogen fuel cell Repower truck, based on the most powerful fuel cell stack Hyzon has developed, will begin testing by end of 2022; these heavy duty fuel cell systems will be produced in the company's Bolingbrook facility in Illinois.