Building off technology from the Mirai
After introducing the hydrogen-powered Mirai sedan, Toyota is looking to expand its fuel cell technology to heavy-duty trucks. To test out the viability of this application, Toyota will enlist its Project Portal fuel cell truck to haul goods between the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach and to surrounding warehouses and rail yards.
The Class 8 concept truck has completed more than 4,000 miles of testing while hauling cargo. Starting October 23, the truck will begin its new port hauling duties, traveling around 200 miles each day. As the feasibility study continues, Toyota will challenge the truck with longer routes.
The Project Portal features a small 12-kilowatt-hour battery as well as two fuel cell stacks lifted from the Mirai. With this system, the truck makes 670 hp and a whopping 1,325 lb-ft of torque. It can drive more than 200 miles on a tank of hydrogen, Toyota estimates, and it has a gross combined weight capacity of 80,000 pounds. To top it off, the only emission that comes out of the tailpipe is water.
Currently, heavy-duty trucks contribute to a lot of pollution at the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. So it makes sense for Toyota to look into the possibility of offering a zero-emissions alternative in the future. Meanwhile, a few companies are looking to battery EV technology for the future of trucking. Cummins launched an electric semi truck, and Tesla will follow suit next month.
Source: Toyota
