Hexagon Purus, Ballard team on new trucks

Hexagon Purus and Ballard launched their new Class 6 fuel cell electric truck at the ACT Expo.

Hexagon Purus and Ballard Power Systems have announced a new collaboration to produce Class 6 and 7 fuel cell electric trucks utilizing Hexagon Purus’ turnkey electric drivetrain and hydrogen storage system solutions and Ballard’s fuel cell module. The vehicle was unveiled at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, Calif.

The truck will provide a range of over 400 miles and refueling times comparable to conventional trucks, the companies said. It is a zero-emission solution designed fleet owners with demanding operations, moving goods through the ‘middle miles,’ without the need to expand their fleet.

Ballard said its eighth generation of its FCMove fuel cell module provides a zero-emissions electric power source, with over four decades of technology development and over 50 million miles of on-the-road experience.

“Fuel cell and hydrogen technologies will enable the decarbonization of the heavy-duty transportation sector with long range and quick vehicle refueling, without compromising on payload,” said Nicolas Pocard, vice president Marketing & Strategic Partnership at Ballard. “Our partnership with Hexagon Purus will deliver a high performance zero emission Class 6-7 truck with the integration of state-of-the-art fuel cell engine, hydrogen storage and electric drivetrain.”

Hexagon Purus’ lightweight type 4 H2 storage systems, high energy density ProPack battery storage, and fully integrated electrified accessory systems are engineered to deliver light, efficient and long range zero-emissions power for electrified commercial vehicles.

“Our goal is to drive energy transformation through zero emission mobility solutions,” said Todd Sloan, executive vice president, Hexagon Purus. “We look forward to leveraging our extensive experience in lightweight, reliable and safe hydrogen storage and battery electric drivetrain systems, and together with Ballard, pave the way to zero emission commercial transport.”

The vehicles will enter California’s Hybrid and Zero-Emission Truck and Bus Voucher Incentive Program (HVIP) eligible vehicle list in 2022. First fleet deployments will be in and around the Los Angeles Basin area.

The first prototype of the hydrogen truck will be delivered in the second quarter of 2022.