Toyota Reveals Updated Version of its Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck

Toyota revealed the second version of its hydrogen fuel-cell electric Class 8 truck during the Center for Automotive Research (CAR) Management Briefing Seminars in Northern Michigan.

The Japanese automaker’s new heavy-duty, fuel-cell truck is called “Beta,” which has an estimated range of more than 480 km. The Beta truck is the updated version of Toyota’s Alpha truck.

The main objective of this project is to test and develop a more environment-friendly, heavy-duty truck. According to Toyota, there are over 16,000 pollution-emitting trucks in the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles, which is expected to go up to over 32,000 by 2030. The diesel engines equipped in the trucks emit pollutants into the air, affecting the neighborhoods surrounding the port. With that in mind, the Beta truck is powered by a hydrogen fuel-cell engine that’s integrated with a 12kWh battery and delivers 670 hp and 1,794 Nm of torque.

The hydrogen fuel-cell engine uses hydrogen gas to power a motor. Instead of using diesel fuel, a hydrogen fuel-cell combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, which powers and runs the motor.

Toyota North America Electrified Vehicle & Technologies Office Senior Manager Craig Scott said that the company is now looking to the possibility of offering the Beta truck in the market.

“Our goal with the first truck was to see if it could be accomplished, and we did that. This time we’re looking at commercial viability. We want to help make a difference–a significant difference when it comes to the air quality not only in the LA area, but across the U.S. and around the globe,” said Scott.