SEA Electric involved in related Hino zero emissions initiative
Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Hino USA have agreed to jointly develop a class 8 heavy-duty ‘fuel cell electric truck’ (FCET) for the North American market.
The prime mover is to be built on the foundations of the newly developed Hino XL Series chassis and the collaboration expands upon the existing effort to develop a 25-tonne FCET for the Japanese market that was announced earlier this year
“A fuel cell powered version of the Hino XL Series is a win-win for both customers and the community. It will be quiet, smooth and powerful while emitting nothing but water,” Toyota research and development senior executive engineer Tak Yokoo says.
“Toyota’s 20-plus years of fuel cell technology combined with Hino’s heavy-duty truck experience will create an innovative and capable product.”
The first demonstration vehicle is expected to arrive in the first half of 2021.
Read about the SEA Electric/Hino USA deal with Zeem, here
“Expanding upon our proud heritage of the Hino powertrain, Toyota fuel cell technology offers our customers a commercially viable, extended range, zero emissions vehicle in the near term,” Hino USA senior vice president customer experience Glenn Ellis says.
“Hino shares a common focus with Toyota when it comes to durability, reliability, and innovation with the customer at the centre of design which makes this collaboration a game changer.”
The link comes as Hino USA unveils Project Z, the company’s development path to zero emissions vehicles (ZEV), ranging from class 4 (6.3-7.2 tonne) to class 8 (15 tonne and above) – part of which has a distinctly Australian flavour.
The ZEV products ranges from a class 5 (7.2-8.8 tonne) SEA Electric SEA-Drive 120a on a Hino M5 chassis, up to a Hino XL Series class 8 tractor powered by Toyota’s fuel cell system.
Melbourne-headquartered SEA Electric has used Hino gliders in Australia for several years.
Additionally, Hino features a battery electric class 7 (11.7-15 tonne) prime mover with Hexagon Purus’ full electric drive system, and a Hino XL Series class 8 box truck powered by Xos Trucks’ X-Pack battery and electric drive system.
For the battery electric vehicles, Hino will look at both central drive motors and e-axles.
“Our holistic approach to working with technology leaders like Toyota, Hexagon Purus and XOS will result in a sustainable, low cost product line up that will meet the needs of our customers as our industry moves forward to zero emission vehicles,” Ellis says.
“For customers ready to move in that direction now, the SEA Electric SEA-Drive 120a paired with a Hino M Series chassis is commercially available today.”