Toyota Motor North America is working with Port of Los Angeles, Kenworth, and Shell to launch a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell freight project to provide powertrain technology and corresponding operational support .
Toyota Motor said in a statement on September 14 that the company will work with Kenworth to develop ten zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell trucks. Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons said to foreign media that the company will provide fuel cell stacks, batteries and electric motors for Class 8 trucks. It is reported that Kenworth is a subsidiary of American truck maker Paccar Inc.
The Port of Los Angeles said on September 14 that the company has initially received a $ 41 million grant from the California Air Resources Board to develop the project. The project is expected to help reduce 465 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, the cost of the first phase of the project was approximately $ 82.6 million, of which 50.2% would be provided by partners.
Funding applications indicate that the project will implement “localized direct emission reduction measures in designated vulnerable communities”, and the implementation will cover the Los Angeles area of California, including Ontario and Wilmington, and surrounding communities in San Pedro and Long Beach, California.
The application also states that Toyota Logistics Services, which is responsible for Toyota North America Logistics, will operate a zero-emission forklift business and oversee Toyota Transport, Toyota Transport, which will be responsible for hydrogen fuel cell truck operations.
The application was drafted by four partners, but the Port of Los Angeles was listed as the main applicant. Brian Lyons said that the partners hope that the California Air Resources Board can formally allocate the funds by the end of the year.
The second phase of the project plans to establish two hydrogen fuel stations in Ontario and Wilmington, to be operated by Shell. The new hydrogen refueling station will join Toyota's three hydrogen fueling stations near Los Angeles to form a hydrogen supply network that will help deliver goods from shore to stores.
The final phase of the project will apply zero-emissions technology in off-road vehicles and warehouse facilities. For example, two zero-emission yard tractors will be put into operation at the Port of Hueneme, 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
Toyota plans to reduce carbon dioxide emissions at its Toyota Logistics Center in Port of Long Beach by 2050, in line with its original intention of launching a hydrogen fuel cell project. At the end of July this year, Toyota demonstrated its next-generation Project Portal 2.0 hydrogen-powered 8-level truck at a North Michigan Automotive Research Center (CAR) management briefing seminar, further demonstrating Toyota's determination to develop hydrogen fuel cell technology.