FPT Industrial showcases Hydrogen Fuel Cell Powertrain Concept at the IAA Show

FPT Industrial , a company that is part of CNH Industrial which owns leading brands like Iveco and Steyr used the recent IAA Commercial Vehicles Show in Hannover, Germany to showcase its hydrogen fuel cell powertrain concept. The company’s R&D team is working on the fuel cell powertrain which could potentially lead to a new zero emissions transport solution for heavy duty vehicles. The company unveiled its concept on September 19 at the IAA show.

FTP believes that this new hydrogen fuel cell technology could be used by commercial vehicles to deliver zero Tank-to-Wheel and Well-to-Wheel emissions. It is also expected to play a significant role in the development of a virtuous cycle which would involve the production of hydrogen locally through renewable energy sources like biomethane, wind or solar energy. The project’s goal is to explore the scope for using hydrogen as a zero emissions fuel alternative for long-haul vehicles without any compromise when it comes to parameters like performance, autonomy, efficiency and reliability that this sector demands.

The company’s hydrogen fuel cell concept has been designed with a carbon fiber, high-resistance fuel tank. Hydrogen flows directly from this tank into the fuel cells to generate the electricity which is used to power a 400 kW engine. This combination of electricity and fuel cells results in a zero emissions vehicle. The concept demonstrates that it is possible to use this technology is the next phase in the development of the use of natural gas in long-haul commercial vehicles requiring zero nitrogen oxides, zero particulate matter and zero CO2.