Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck (HyFCT) Technology Integration and Demonstration
Advanced hydrogen fuel cell truck demonstration in challenging industrial bulk gas delivery operations
Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc.
Recipient
West Sacramento, CA
Recipient Location
3rd
Senate District
4th
Assembly District
$1,020,778
Amount Spent
Active
Project Status
Project Update
The two hydrogen fuel cell trucks were successfully handed off to fleet demonstration partners in early 2025. The project team has been focused on collecting data, including mileage, hydrogen consumption, powertrain operability, and supporting the fleet partners this year. The vehicles continue to operate on local routes in the Sacramento region. The powertrain is designed with a next generation fuel cell system with a peak power of 300 kW and a durability of >15,000 hours in heavy-duty vehicle applications.
The Issue
Heavy-duty vehicles, particularly Class 8 truck tractors, need to be electrified to meet California’s ambitious air quality and climate goals. Hydrogen fuel cell technology can provide zero-emissions, operational flexibility, one-to-one replacement of conventional trucks, and cost-effective refueling infrastructure at scale. Hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric trucks are complementary technology options for truck manufacturers and fleets to meet California zero-emission vehicle regulations and the goals of Executive Order N-79-20. There are very few commercially available hydrogen fuel cell trucks today and limited data available to inform end users of the real-world operational characteristics. Accelerating development of production-intent hydrogen fuel cell trucks capable of meeting challenging duty cycle needs will help meet California's zero-emission goals.
Project Innovation
This project will develop and demonstrate two zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks capable of meeting a challenging industrial bulk gas delivery duty cycle. The project will integrate an advanced fuel cell electric powertrain, demonstrate one-to-one replacement of conventional Class 8 diesel trucks, develop a truck-mounted electrified power take-off to power a pump for cryogenic cargo tank trailers, and assess the feasibility of on-board liquid hydrogen storage for extended range.
Project Goals
Project Benefits
Project benefits include accelerating commercialization of Class 8 zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell trucks, which will increase the demand for clean renewable hydrogen in the transportation sector and reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. Increased demand and accompanying scale-up of supply and availability of clean renewable hydrogen can provide synergies in decarbonizing other challenging sectors as well.
Environmental Sustainability
This project will displace an estimated 24,300 gallons of diesel with 16 tons of hydrogen demand, 300 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions, and 83 kg of oxides of nitrogen emissions over 12 months.
Economic Development
This project will drive the production of green electrolytic hydrogen at scale through the commercialization of hydrogen fuel cell trucks will help enable decarbonization of other challenging end-uses that rely heavily on fossil fuels.
Affordability
This project will develop an advanced fuel cell electric powertrain equipped with a next generation integrated fuel cell solution that is more durable, lower cost and uses a more efficient air management system than current fuel cell technology.
Key Project Members
Todd Kobiela
Julio Razo
Prateek Vaish
Subrecipients
University of California, Riverside
Breathe Southern California
Match Partners
Cummins Electrified Power NA Inc.
