Toyota to test hydrogen-powered big rig at LA ports this summer

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Toyota based its hydrogen-powered rig on a Kenworth T660.Toyota based its hydrogen-powered rig on a Kenworth T660.

Auto maker Toyota this week unveiled a hydrogen fuel cell powered Class 8 truck that the company says produces no emissions and little noise. The company will begin testing the truck at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach this summer, it says, as part of a “proof of concept” on the feasibility of using hydrogen-powered rigs in drayage operations.

“Project Portal,” as Toyota has named the vehicle and its testing phase, is based on a Kenworth T660 and generates more than 670 hp and 1,325 lb.-ft. of torque, the company says. It’s powered by two Mirai fuel cell stacks and a 12kWh battery, giving the drayage truck more than 200 miles per fill under normal operation, the company says. The truck can haul loads up to 80,000 pounds, Toyota says.

As part of this summer’s study, the truck will carry containers from the two major Los Angeles-area ports to warehouses nearby.

Kenworth, while not involved in Project Portal, says it is “delighted” to see Toyota using a T660 to test the hydrogen fuel technology. “We expect hybrid-electric powertrains will be required within seven to 10 years to meet emissions requirements in several major metropolitan areas of the United States. Hydrogen fuel cells are a technology that may play a critical role in trucks of the future,” the company said in a statement.

Here are a few more photos of Toyota’s Project Portal tractor:

Toyota Project Portal Concept 09 23 A48 Be4 Efd3 A3 C65 Fc1 B292404402 D094 F032 Ef Low 2017 04 21 09 16 Toyota Project Portal Concept 03 3109883 Ac1 Bd23 B0349 Be1626 D0 D63 Ccf7 F77200 Low 2017 04 21 09 17

Toyota Project Portal Concept 08 5275392 E5 Ca59 F72 Aaab0 Ec628225 C3 Bf848 Efaa Low 2017 04 21 09 13 Toyota Project Portal Concept 06 6 Adfcc75 Ebbc5 D49 A88 Fdc75119669 A28 B997 D9 C Low 2017 04 21 09 13 Toyota Project Portal Concept 01 44 D86345 Fdc1608993 B681894347 C6 A57 C3 F549 D Low 2017 04 21 09 13

 

 

 

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