Airgas to pilot zero-emissions heavy duty hydrogen trucks

Airgas has signed an agreement with Hyzon Motors to pilot two heavy duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks, including one 100 kW fuel cell truck and the first Hyzon 200 kW hydrogen fuel cell powered truck to be tested commercially.

These two trucks will be the first heavy-duty hydrogen fuel cell-powered trucks in the Air Liquide Group to be tested on several cylinder distribution routes in the Los Angeles, California area, according to Brian Jones, Airgas’ director of risk management and corporate responsibility.

The 100 kW fuel cell vehicle from Hyzon Motors that Airgas will test will be on exhibit at the Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo from May 9 to May 12 at the Long Beach Convention Center in Long Beach, California.

“We are proud to be one of the first to pilot heavy duty hydrogen fuel cell trucks as we look to continuously lower carbon emissions and increase our use of clean fuel alternative vehicles in our fleet on the Air Liquide path to carbon neutrality by 2050.”

Jones states that testing of Hyzon’s most powerful fuel cell to date, a 200 kW hydrogen fuel cell powered vehicle, will commence at Airgas in the fall of 2022.

“Through Hyzon’s Repower program, these vehicles are upcycled from existing diesel trucks, with Hyzon’s proprietary fuel cell system, electric drivetrain, and lightweight hydrogen storage design.”

He emphasizes that Hyzon cars offer comparable payloads, performance, and refueling times to diesel vehicles, and that the only byproduct is water vapor. By offering end-to-end solutions, Hyzon enables fleet operators to convert their fleets without having to alter their day-to-day operations.

Cory Shumaker, head of business development for Hyzon Motors in the United States, noted that Hyzon is at the forefront of the shift to zero emissions by offering hydrogen-powered commercial cars with the most advanced fuel cell technology.

“Hyzon vehicles are built to suit demanding applications, including ultra-heavy freight, construction, refuse collection, perishable deliveries and public transit. It’s all done without challenging the already strained electricity grids – in the US and globally,” he concludes.