"Advanced Clean Technology" is not limited to just battery-electric vehicles, and that was apparent at this year's ACT Expo in Anaheim, California. Along with BEVs, there were fuel-cell vehicles, natural gas, engines that will run on hydrogen and other alternative fuels, and more.
Zero and Lower-Emissions Commercial Vehicles at ACT Expo [Photos]
Hino Trucks and Hexagon Purus are developing a battery-electric Class 8 tractor based on Hino’s XL 4x2 tractor chassis. It will use Hexagon Purus’ proprietary battery systems, auxiliary modules, power modules, and vehicle-level software.
Photo: Jim Park
Thermo King’s all-electric e1000 refrigeration unit is designed for BEV delivery trucks. It runs completely on the truck’s battery system. Flexible electric power takeoff integrates easily with multiple OEM electric vehicle chassis with minimal battery draw.
Photo: Jim Park
School buses are among the best candidates for electrification because of their short duty cycles and mid-day charging opportunities. Lion Electric and Freightliner Custom Chassis both had electric school buses on display.
Photo: Jim Park
There were a lot of orange cables showing at ACT Expo 2023. Here’s a sampling of some of the more interesting trucks on display this year.
Photo: Jim Park
Cummins displayed a concept version of its X15H hydrogen internal-combustion engine, mounted under the hood of a Peterbilt 579.
Photo: Jim Park
The Starship 3.0 project truck gave the Shell booth a futuristic flair.
Photo: Jack Roberts
Kenworth and Toyota are collaborating closely on the T680 fuel-cell-electric truck.
Photo: Jim Park
Kenworth's T680 FCEV is equipped with Toyota’s Gen 2 Dual Fuel Cell Module and 310-kW Dual Motor Assembly, capable of providing 415 horsepower to the wheels.
Photo: Jim Park
Hyundai tipped the hood, well, the whole cab, exposing its 18-kWh fuel cell stacks and hydrogen storage tanks.
Photo: Jim Park
Hyundai's fuel-cell-electric Xcient launched in 2020 and has since been deployed in five countries. It has accumulated more than 4 million miles to date.
Photo: Jim Park
Kodiak Robotics introduced the world’s first autonomous electric Class 8 truck. A Peterbilt Model 579EV was outfitted with the Kodiak Driver, the company’s self-driving technology. The truck will be incorporated into Kodiak’s fleet in 2024.
Photo: Jim Park
Vocational trucks will be the most difficult to electrify because of constraints imposed by the body layout, claims on frame space, and the need for adequately sized battery packs. DTNA and Altec showed this all-electric utility truck.
Photo: Jim Park
Workhorse said it plans to build about 200 trucks this year once production starts in the third quarter. Build rates are slated to hit 2,000 in 2024, and up to 5,000 the year after.
Photo: Jim Park
Tropos Motors debuted the Able Nx at ACT Expo. It’s a last-mile delivery specialist with up to 200 miles of range and four Easy-Swap upfit options including sweep, pickup, trades, and cargo.
Photo: Jim Park
Zeus Electric Chassis showcased an all-electric bucket concept truck featuring a custom-engineered Reading Truck Classic II service body and a Terex Hi-Ranger LT40 aerial device upfitted to the Class 5 Zeus Z-19 Electric Smart Chassis.
Photo: Jack Roberts
Cummins' X15H hydrogen ICE is said to produce 400-500 hp and 1,900 lb-ft of torque over a 500+ mile range.
Photo: Jim Park
Cummins revealed its X15N natural gas engine this year. Last year, the engine was painted black with few external details visible. The engine was under lights this year, and it had two trucks in the ride-and-drive parade.
Photo: Jim Park
Hyliion showed off its Hypertruck Karno demonstration vehicle. The Karno generator can operate on more than 20 different fuel sources, including hydrogen.
Photo: Jack Roberts
Hexagon showed this mobile CNG refueling truck at its booth.
Photo: Jack Roberts
Morgan Olson Proxima Class 2B, a fully electric last-mile delivery vehicle designed for below 10,000 lbs. GVWR. With optimal aerodynamics, it delivers a 40% reduction in drag.
Photo: Jack Roberts
Morgan Truck Body NEO proof-of-concept body on Navistar’s International eMV Series chassis. NEO represents the next step of Morgan’s product evolution to achieve extended range, improved aerodynamics, and a lighter-weight dry-freight body.
Photo: Jack Roberts