Hyzon, a U.S.-based hydrogen fuel cell tech developer and global supplier of zero-emission heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), launched its single stack 200kW fuel cell system and powertrain in a vehicle at a ceremony attended by government officials, heavy-duty fleet operators, and company employees and executives.
Hyzon's 200kW Prime Mover—the Australian term for a heavy-duty commercial truck designed to tow a semi-trailer—was unveiled at the Kangan Institute's Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) in Melbourne, one of the largest educational providers of automotive training and accreditation in Australia.
Hyzon first integrated its fuel cell technology and 200kW FCEV powertrain into a cabover vehicle, a similar design for fleets in Australia, New Zealand, and Europe. The company expects to deploy 200kW cabovers in Europe and 200kW conventional vehicles in the U.S. later this year.
According to Meeks, the single-stack system may allow Hyzon to bring the same technology to industrial ecosystems beyond trucking to include mining, rail, marine, stationary power generation, and airport ecosystems.
The system for the Prime Mover was manufactured at Hyzon's U.S. production facility in Bolingbrook, Illinois, and is expected to reach the start of production in the second half of 2024.
Reaching 200kW fuel cell power typically requires two smaller units, but Hyzon managed to engineer its system to be 30% lower in weight and volume and ~25% lower in total fuel cell system cost compared to two of the company's 110kW fuel cell systems combined. By integrating high-power, compact fuel cell systems into familiar vehicle builds, Hyzon plans to offer a zero-emission option to fleets that can match the operational expectations of a diesel truck.
Hyzon Managing Director for Australia, John Edgley, said the Prime Mover was designed and assembled locally, which is a testament to the skills and capabilities of the company's local workforce.
According to Edgley, the 200kW Prime Mover is expected to revolutionize Australia's heavy-duty transport market and is an important step in solving a uniquely "Australian" problem: conquering heavier payloads and longer distance requirements—without emissions.
"Hyzon designs and manufactures fuel cell technology from the ground up. We apply our advanced engineering capabilities throughout the system—from the Membrane Electrode Assembly (MEA), the heart of the fuel cell system, to the balance of plant to the software," said Mohrdieck. "This allows us to build a fuel cell system that fits the performance and durability needs of heavy-duty applications such as commercial trucking."
Hyzon's 200kW Prime Movers are expected to operate on Australian and New Zealand roads later in 2024.
Hyzon is a global supplier of high-performance hydrogen fuel cell technology providing zero-emission power to decarbonize demanding industries. With agile, high-power technology designed for heavy-duty applications, Hyzon is at the center of a new industrial revolution fueled by hydrogen. Hyzon focuses on deploying its fuel cell technology in heavy-duty commercial vehicles across North America, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand today and in tomorrow's power generation and energy storage, mining, construction, rail, marine, and airport ecosystems. To learn more, visit www.hyzonfuelcell.com.