PACCAR and Kenworth marked their first appearance at the 2018 Consumer Electronics Show by showcasing a Kenworth T680 equipped with a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell. The Las Vegas show took place from Jan 7-12 and typically draws close to 200,000 visitors.
The hydrogen fuel cell produces electricity from compressed hydrogen gas and air, with only water vapor emitted as a by-product. The electricity generated can power the motor or recharge the lithium-ion batteries.
The fuel-cell T680 will have an initial range of 150 miles, and with an output of 565 hp, it can pull the legal gross combination weight of a Class 8 truck.
The fuel cell-powered T680 is part of the Zero Emission Cargo Transport project, currently managed by Southern California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District. For information on this project, read the pdf here. “Kenworth’s hydrogen fuel-cell T680 is a reality… The T680 has been running trials in the Seattle area and performing very well. The next step is real-world testing with Total Transportation Services Inc. (TTSI) at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in Southern California… Kenworth is heavily focused on the evaluation and development of both zero and near-zero emission solutions for the trucking industry.” -Stephan Olsen, Kenworth director of product planning.
