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Highway Steamer: The Stars of the US Truck Show in Atlanta

2019-10-31T03:37:50.446Z


In the US, Truck Fair is usually only taking note of professionals. But this time, fuel cell vices are causing a sensation - especially Hyundai with a spectacular concept vehicle.



Normally, the Atlanta North American Commercial Vehicle Show is not a public interest. Truck manufacturers will show their latest products for long-haul and distribution transport, which will be scrutinized by the specialist audience and then discussed in small specialist media. This year is different - many news sites and blogs in the US reported on the fair.

There are two reasons for this: hydrogen - and Hyundai. The manufacturer wants to be involved in the future in the US truck market. For their premiere in the away game, the Koreans brought however not a classic diesel tractor with, but a futuristic concept for a truck powered by hydrogen. HDC-6 Neptune is the name of the study and not only its drive is novel. The design also stands out from the mass of trucks at the fair.

Design model steam locomotive

Because while most trucks in the US are so-called long-haulers whose engine sits in front of the driver's cab, the HDC-6 does without the classic design. Instead, the designers at Hyundai based on a streamlined Art Deco steam locomotive by industrial designer Henry Dreyfuss from the thirties. A perfectly fitting model: after all, came from the exhaust of the truck only water vapor.

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US truck fair: hydrogen for heavy traffic

The rounded front and the adjoining sleeping cabin draws a large picture window. Outside mirrors do not exist, their function is carried out by cameras and screens that inform the driver about what is happening around the truck.

Toyota is already testing hydrogen trucks

Hyundai is not alone with its hydrogen truck at the fair. The fuel cell is considered the great promise of the future of the truck industry. "Hydrogen in combination with electric drives is a very good solution over long distances," says Michael Schier from the DLR Institute for Vehicle Concepts. So Hyundai's largest fuel cell competitor Toyota is locally represented - but only indirectly. Because Toyota offers its technology in cooperation with the truck manufacturer Kenworth - under the hood of one of his trucks in a classic design with a long hood.

The inconspicuous tractor is in contrast to the HDC-6, which is scheduled to come on the market until 2030, already built. A total of ten copies originate at Kenworth. They are to take over parts of the distribution traffic in the port of Los Angeles and are designed like the Hyundai concept as so-called "Class 8 truck", thus for permissible total masses above 15 tons. The Kenworth is missing as a truck for distribution, however, the necessary for long distances sleeping cabin.

Two Mirai fuel cells for a truck

Under the traditional cover of the truck stuck two fuel cells from the Toyota Mirai, the hydrogen on board enough for about 480 kilometers, and thus according to Toyota figures for twice a usual daily amount in distribution. The heavy weight of the trucks makes twice the car drive necessary. For heavy goods vehicles require drive power of over 300 kilowatts, explains DLR researcher Schier: "For this purpose, appropriate fuel cells have yet to be developed."

However, there are still major technical difficulties here, for example in the energy management for brakes and air conditioning, but also with the waste heat from the hydrogen drive. "With the fuel cell, half of the waste heat does not just go through the exhaust, but has to be dissipated with large coolers," says DLR researcher Schier.

Bosch invests in US start-up

The main problem, however, is the cost of the drive. "Today, the technology is still too expensive - in a car, fuel cells and tanks are the biggest cost factor," says Schier. Until the truck industry consistently focuses on hydrogen, the costs for the material of the fuel cell and its production would have to drop significantly. "Significantly high volumes are necessary for this," says DLR researcher Schier. Until these are achieved, they therefore rely on car fuel cells, which are then assembled modularly into larger units.

This is one reason why a start-up from the USA has made headlines in the commercial vehicle sector: Nikola Motors. Similar to Tesla, which uses the surname of the brilliant inventor instead of the first name, the company is regarded as a pioneer - just not with electric cars, but hydrogen trucks. The first model "One" is currently being developed, with an output of more than 1000 hp, offering a range of up to 1900 kilometers. The company sparked off on the presentation of the vehicle a real hype, then over 7000 pre-orders then went - even though the truck should be built in 2021.

Behind Nikola are two well-known investors in the automotive industry: In addition to the supplier Bosch, CNH Industrial, the parent company of the truck manufacturer Iveco, also invested in the start-up. And also Daimler is currently testing the fuel cell as a drive for a commercial vehicle - but a few numbers smaller: In Tokyo, the subsidiary Fuso presented the "Vision F-Cell", a 7.5-tonner, whose hydrogen supply should last for up to 300 kilometers.

Source: spiegel

All tech articles on 2019-10-31

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