SoCalGas developing hydrogen fuel cell electric truck with Ford

Ford Motor Company and SoCalGas are collaborating on a demonstration project to lower emissions from commercial fleets by creating an F-550 Super Duty Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Truck.

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) SuperTruck 3 initiative, which seeks to drastically lower emissions in medium- and heavy-duty vehicles is a component of this partnership. By seeking to run a 100% zero-emission fleet by 2035 and replace 50% of its over-the-road fleet with clean fuel vehicles by 2025, the utility’s involvement is another step toward its ASPIRE 2045 sustainability targets.

Ford will provide SoCalGas with an F-550 Super Duty Truck so they may assess the prototype truck’s performance in actual use. SoCalGas was picked because of its environment and location to assess if the vehicle can handle the demanding requirements of utility work. A temporary hydrogen refueling station will also be part of the demonstration project at SoCalGas’ Bakersfield plant. In 2025, the truck is anticipated to be deployed.

Large fleets, such as those used by utilities, that demand extended range, quick refueling, onboard power requirements, and round-the-clock emergency response, can be decarbonized with this initiative.

As we make the transition to a cleaner tomorrow, the corporations that power our economy, particularly those in the transportation industry, must work together to create breakthrough technology, according to State Senator Josh Newman. This innovative concept “shows promise in addressing America’s present energy difficulties as well as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.”

According to Jim Buczkowski, executive director of Ford Research and Advanced Engineering, “Ford’s ambition to decrease carbon emissions around the globe includes studying several technologies that will help us reach these goals over a broad range of applications.” There are application gaps that battery electric cars just can’t cover for our diverse range of Ford Pro clients, so we’re looking into hydrogen fuel cells to power larger, heavier commercial vehicles while still providing zero tailpipe emissions.

Neil Navin, vice president of sustainable energy technologies at SoCalGas, stated, “We are proud to cooperate with Ford on their effort to help decrease emissions. “With Ford’s H2 Fuel Cell Electric F-550, this initiative is a crucial first step toward identifying practical ways to decarbonize heavy-duty vehicles, like our utility fleet.”