Hexagon Composites completes development and initial delivery of H2 storage tanks for Toyota heavy-duty fuel cell truck
09 August 2017
Norway-based Hexagon Composites’ subsidiary Hexagon Lincoln has completed the development and initial deliveries of storage tanks for a Toyota heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell truck. (Earlier post.) Toyota Motor North America Research and Development (TMNA R&D) has received the first hydrogen tanks to be used in the project.
With this delivery of the Type 4 high-pressure hydrogen cylinders, the Hexagon Composites Group is strengthening its position in the hydrogen heavy-duty vehicle market. The Group has established a strong position in the hydrogen value chain and is working globally on several projects with passenger car OEMs, transit bus, ground storage, gas transportation, back-up power, marine and rail applications.
Toyota unveiled the fuel cell truck proof-of-concept in April as part of a feasibility study by the Port of Los Angeles, supporting the Port’s efforts to reduce harmful emissions.
In 2008, Hexagon was chosen as a member of the Department of Energy’s Hydrogen Storage Engineering Center of Excellence (HSECoE) to promote the use of composites for hydrogen storage with the purpose of accelerating the market entry of fuel cell vehicles.
Its cylinders are certified to these US and international standards: ISO 11119, EC79/2009, METI-KHK hydrogen standards, SAE J2579, CSA B-51, and 2010 ASME Section X Class III.
Separately, Hexagon Composites’ subsidiary xperion Energy & Environment (acquired in 2016) has been nominated to supply high-pressure cylinders for hydrogen-powered trucks owned and operated by ASKO, Norway’s largest grocery wholesaler. Hexagon received the order from Hydrogenics Corporation, a leading developer and manufacturer of hydrogen generation and hydrogen-based power modules. The cylinders will be integrated into its fuel cell systems for four Scania hydrogen-powered trucks for ASKO.
The first deliveries are scheduled for second half of 2017. The first hydrogen-powered trucks are expected to be operational by ASKO towards the end of 2018.
I'm a bit surprised Toyota decided not to make these themselves, as they do the CF tanks for their fuel cell cars.
I think it indicates that Toyota are interested in using the market for fuel cell trucks with their need for high volumes of hydrogen to develop the infrastructure for that more than trying to move into trucking, and indeed they have said that they will use standard trucks from other manufacturers and add the fuel cell components.
Posted by: Davemart | 09 August 2017 at 03:42 AM
Another step toward H2 trucks, cars, suvs, buses, tractors, trains etc.
Of course, Toyota will produce many of them?
Posted by: HarveyD | 09 August 2017 at 01:36 PM
If you make fuel cells for cars you can use them for trucks. A 100 kW fuel cell makes a range extender for a BEV truck.
Posted by: SJC | 09 August 2017 at 05:51 PM
SJC
In their short range Class 8 truck Toyota use 2 MIrai fuel stacks and just a 12kWh battery.
Posted by: Davemart | 09 August 2017 at 11:51 PM
Batteries + FC combo may be one of the best solution for Trucks, long range Buses, Trains, heavy pick-ups and SUVs?
Rely of Toyota to develop, test and mass produce it.
Posted by: HarveyD | 10 August 2017 at 07:33 AM
It is not just big rigs, delivery trucks of all sorts can use a fuel cell with lots of batteries. Fed Ex, UPS, Lays, Pepsi all of them can clean the air and reduce foreign oil dependence.
Posted by: SJC | 14 August 2017 at 04:52 PM