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VANCOUVER, 4 August 2023: Ballard Power Systems (BLDP) has announced a significant partnership with Ford Trucks to collaborate on the development of a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle prototype. The agreement includes an initial order for 2 FCmove™-XD 120 kW fuel cell engines that Ballard will supply to Ford Trucks in 2023.
Ford Trucks’ Hydrogen-Powered F-MAX
Ford Trucks, the global brand of Ford Otosan, is planning to create a Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) F-MAX as part of this joint project. The 120 kW FCmove-XDTM fuel cell engines will be integrated into Ford Trucks’ F-MAX 44-ton long-haul tractor truck. The company intends to manufacture and assemble the fuel cell-powered F-MAX in Turkey and aims to conduct European Ten-T corridor demonstrations in 2025, as part of the European Union’s Horizon Europe ZEFES (Zero Emission Freight EcoSystem) project goals. Ballard may become the preferred supplier for the serial production of the fuel cell-powered F-MAX after successfully completing the development program and meeting certain conditions specified in the letter of intent.
Accelerating Zero Emission Heavy Transport
The ZEFES project will involve collaboration between four truck OEMs, two trailer OEMs, suppliers, logistic operators, and research partners. The primary objective is to accelerate the integration of Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) for long-distance heavy transport. The project will focus on efficiency improvements, mass production capabilities, and the practical application of these technologies in daily operations. In 2025, the project aims to run nine different vehicle concepts (four FCEV and five BEV) across EU corridors, covering over 1 million kilometers in real daily operations. These vehicles will have a capacity of over 40 tonnes and will be able to travel distances up to 750 km, with an average of 500 km per day.
Ballard’s Perspective
David Mucciacciaro, Ballard’s Chief Commercial Officer, expressed excitement about partnering with Ford Trucks to promote market adoption in Europe. He looks forward to Ballard being recognized as Ford Truck’s preferred fuel cell supplier and supporting the integration of their heavy-duty truck platform. The FCmove-XDTM fuel cell engine is well-suited for the range, refueling, payload, and packaging requirements of long-haul tractor customers, making it an excellent fit for this collaboration.
Ford Trucks’ Vision
Ford Trucks is committed to investing in alternative technologies to advance the automobile industry’s future while aligning with their sustainability goals. They prioritize electrification and hydrogen technology, considering their first Fuel Cell Electric-powered Vehicle F-MAX a significant milestone in this journey. The partnership with Ballard is viewed as a critical step towards realizing this vision. Ford Trucks remains dedicated to pioneering sustainable transportation technologies with continued R&D investments.
Conclusion
The partnership between Ballard and Ford Trucks marks a crucial milestone in the development of fuel cell-powered heavy-duty trucks. By combining their expertise, the two companies aim to accelerate the adoption of Zero Emission Vehicles in long-distance freight transport. The collaboration is expected to bring about technological advancements and substantial value in the future of sustainable transportation. With a focus on electrification and hydrogen technology, Ford Trucks is taking significant strides towards a greener and more sustainable future for the automobile industry.
