Paccar and Toyota deepen their partnership in the development of hydrogen fuel cell trucks, with a focus on commercial deployment.
PACCAR and Toyota Expand Partnership to Commercialize Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks
PACCAR, a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-quality trucks, and Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMNA) have announced an expansion of their collaboration to commercialize hydrogen fuel cell trucks for PACCAR's Kenworth and Peterbilt brands. This joint effort aims to accelerate the adoption of hydrogen as a clean fuel alternative in commercial trucking.
The partnership has a rich history, with a successful pilot program that deployed ten Kenworth T680 FCEV trucks at the Port of Los Angeles. The pilot program provided both Kenworth and Toyota with valuable real-world feedback, further enhancing the performance and range of the vehicles.
John Rich, PACCAR's chief technology officer, and Christopher Yang, TMNA's group vice president of Business Development, have expressed confidence in the collaboration's ability to deliver industry-leading FCEV trucks. In fact, the collaboration has already been awarded the Zero Emission Powertrain certification by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
The expanded agreement supports the development of zero-emission versions of the Kenworth T680 and Peterbilt 579 models, featuring Toyota's hydrogen fuel cell powertrain kit. Toyota will begin assembly of the modules in the United States in late 2023. Initial customer deliveries of the zero-emission trucks are planned for 2024.
This collaboration positions PACCAR and Toyota strategically in the evolving heavy-duty truck market. Hydrogen fuel cell trucks serve as a promising solution for long-haul and regional freight, given their fast refueling and longer range compared to battery electric trucks. PACCAR's comprehensive strategy includes supporting infrastructure development to facilitate adoption.
The partnership aligns with projected market transformations involving emissions regulations, hydrogen infrastructure expansion, and advancements in smart fleet management. It also supports Toyota's mission to reduce and ultimately eliminate carbon from the environment, as hydrogen trucks will travel across highways throughout the U.S. with zero emissions.
In summary, the expanded collaboration between PACCAR and Toyota focuses on rapid commercialization, combining Toyota's fuel cell technology with PACCAR's vehicle expertise, supporting infrastructure, and positioning in a market moving toward hydrogen-based zero emissions trucking. The exact production details remain partly under wraps but involve integration within existing manufacturing systems aligned with launch plans in the late 2020s timeframe.
Collaborating with Toyota's advanced fuel cell technology, PACCAR aims to leverage this partnership to address the automotive industry's finance requirements for manufacturing zero-emission trucks. Additionally, with an emphasis on sustainable transportation, they plan to incorporate technology advancements to create a competitive edge in the technology-driven future of commercial transportation.
