Plug Power integrating fuel cell into Class 6 electric truck
16 May 2024
Plug Power unveiled a Class 6, medium-duty fuel cell electric truck. The integration involves a commercial Class 6 chassis cab with an industry-proven electric propulsion system powered by Plug’s ProGen fuel cell technology and integrated with an industry-proven electric propulsion system.
Designed specifically for middle-mile deliveries, this vehicle is engineered for range benchmarks of up to 500 miles, a significant advantage compared to battery electric vehicles. This extended range not only enhances operational efficiency but also reduces the need for frequent downtime associated with battery recharging, resulting in saved time and resources.
Beyond its extended range tailored for optimal payload capacity crucial to middle-mile deliveries, this vehicle distinguishes itself from many other heavy-duty counterparts by not requiring a commercial driver’s license (CDL) for operation, offering a more accessible solution for adoption in operations.
The product is currently in its final integration and testing phase and is expected to commence on-road operational pilots this summer in collaboration with Plug’s key market leader logistics customers. This next phase will provide valuable real-world data and feedback, further optimizing the truck’s performance for commercial deployment.
This is lighter duty and lower range than I understand the transport companies are primarily focussing on where they think they will need hydrogen.
If this proves optimal in this usage, and that is an if, it would further strengthen the move to hydrogen, not least because having rather more vehicles using it makes it more economic to set up the infrastructure.
Posted by: Davemart | 16 May 2024 at 01:59 AM
I wouldn’t get too excited.They introduced their Progen FCT for class 6,7, and 8 trucks over 4 years ago and haven’t reached small scale testing phase yet.
Posted by: Gasbag | 16 May 2024 at 06:24 PM
@Gasbag
Presumably you are more optimistic about the future of electric cars, although after 100 plus years they are far from knocking out the internal combustion engine.
One iteration of a technology not sweeping the board does not rule it out, especially when the infrastructure to support for instance hydrogen trucking was non existent at the time.
Posted by: Davemart | 17 May 2024 at 01:46 PM
I am optimistic about EV sales. The last 5 calendar years have seen their global market share go from 2% to 18%. Q1 2024 saw disappointing growth of only 22%. If you project that modest growth rate for the next 5 years EVs would exceed 50% market share Q1 of 2029.
In contrast over those same 5 years FCVs sales have grown by about 250%. If they maintain that growth rate for the next 5 years they will still be below 50k units per year.
100 years or even 30 years from now FCVs may be dominant but I haven’t seen anything that would lead me to expect that in the next 10 years. While Toyota may be able to plan for an FCV future 30 years down the road Plug Power probably doesn’t have that long. Their per share losses over the last 8 quarters exceeds their current market value.
Posted by: Gasbag | 17 May 2024 at 11:43 PM
@Gasbag:
I would agree that for the light transport market BEVs are likely to dominate.
My view though is that it is unwise to have a sole focus on that solution, and more diverse approaches can pan out.
Posted by: Davemart | 18 May 2024 at 01:30 AM