“Chongqing-made hydrogen fuel trucks are accelerating their development”

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“Chongqing-made hydrogen-powered trucks are accelerating in development. Author/Source: Modern Coal Chemical Industry. Date: November 25, 2021. Clicks: 16. On November 22, at the launch ceremony for the operation of hydrogen-powered trucks in Yihelong Banner, Ordos City, SAIC Hongyan delivered the first batch of such trucks to users there, and they were put into service immediately. As an energy source with high calorific value, zero pollution, and abundant reserves, hydrogen has a calorific value roughly three times that of other fossil fuels; moreover, water is produced upon its combustion. It is recognized as the cleanest fuel and is also referred to in the market as the \"ultimate energy source of the 21st century\". The State Council recently issued the \"Action Plan for Reaching Carbon Peak by 2030\", which calls for promoting a low-carbon transformation of transportation vehicles and equipment, actively expanding the use of new and clean energy sources such as electricity, hydrogen, natural gas, and advanced bio-liquid fuels in the transportation sector, and promoting the use of heavy-duty freight vehicles powered by electricity, hydrogen fuel, and liquefied natural gas. SAIC Hongyan actively responds to the **“dual carbon” initiative by accelerating the implementation and application of hydrogen-powered heavy trucks. Leveraging Ordos’ abundant hydrogen energy resources and a wide range of applications for this energy source, in October of this year, the SAIC Hongyan Ordos New Energy Heavy Truck Base was inaugurated, marking the launch of the world’s first industrial chain project for heavy trucks powered by hydrogen on a scale of 10,000 units. The first batch of 6×4 hydrogen-powered heavy trucks put into commercial operation by SAIC Hongyan will be primarily used for transporting coal from the open-pit mines in Yijinholuo Banner, Ordos City, to the collection stations; the distance for each trip is around 100 kilometers. SAIC Hongyan hydrogen-powered trucks are equipped with battery packs of 100.3kW·h from CATL (672.000, -9.00, -1.32%), offering a maximum torque of 1600–2500N·m. It is equipped with a high-power hydrogen fuel cell system developed by HydrogenOS. This fuel cell system can achieve a rated power output of 92–117 kW, with a peak power output of 120 kW. Its volumetric power density stands at 3.7 kW/L, enabling it to effectively meet the vehicle’s operational needs in various environments. At the same time, its hydrogen supply system has a storage capacity of 31 kg; it only takes 15 to 30 minutes to fill it with hydrogen. There are hydrogen refueling stations available in the vicinity where operations take place. Additionally, this vehicle consumes only 7.2–14.5 kg of hydrogen per 100 kilometers, and its standard maximum range exceeds 400 kilometers, all of which contribute to ensuring high efficiency in vehicle operations. As is well known, the lowest temperatures in Ordos City in winter can reach -30°C. The SAIC Hongyan hydrogen-powered trucks possess strong weather resistance; even in such extreme cold conditions of -30°C, they are able to start up quickly within 30 seconds and operate normally. At the same time, hydrogen energy possesses excellent low-temperature resistance, allowing hydrogen-powered trucks to operate stably even in winter. In fact, hydrogen-powered vehicles produced in Chongqing are being developed at an accelerated pace. Changan Automobile has been engaged in the research and development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles for over 10 years. In recent years, Changan Automobile has participated in numerous research projects related to **-level hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. In March of this year, the Changan CS75 fuel cell passenger vehicle was included in the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology’s list of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. On September 29, led by Chongqing Qingling Motors, China conducted its first actual-load test of a hydrogen-powered truck on an inter-provincial trunk road. Compared to diesel trucks of the same tonnage, hydrogen-powered vehicles not only have a fuel cost that is 0.25 yuan lower per kilometer, but also offer ample power, rapid acceleration, low noise levels, and greater driving comfort. As planned, covering the upstream raw material stage (production, storage, transportation, hydrogenation), the midstream manufacturing stage (electrodes, system integration, and key components), and the downstream application stage (pilot operations of vehicles), it is expected that by 2023, Chongqing’s hydrogen vehicle industry cluster, which includes hydrogen production, hydrogenation, supply of key components, and vehicle manufacturing, will have taken initial shape. By then, 10 hydrogen refueling stations will be built across the city. A total of 1,000 hydrogen fuel cell vehicles will be put into demonstration operation. More than 50 enterprises in the hydrogen energy vehicle industry chain will be cultivated, with an annual output value exceeding 10 billion yuan.