(Milwaukee, USA) – US automaker General Motors and Komatsu are jointly developing a fuel cell module for the Japanese mining and construction equipment specialist's electric "Mining Truck 930E." Komatsu says the vehicles are "easy and quick to refuel" with hydrogen. They are particularly suitable for electrifying sectors that currently rely on diesel engines. "Hydrogen is an effective method for storing large amounts of energy on board a vehicle without compromising payload."
320 tons payload
The Komatsu 930E Mining Truck has a payload of 320 tons. These vehicles are typically deployed at a single mine for their entire lifespan, the company said, “simplifying the challenges of sizing and deploying an effective hydrogen refueling infrastructure for the vehicle fleet.” A prototype is scheduled to be tested at Komatsu's research and development facility in Arizona, USA, in the mid-2020s. The drive power is two megawatts.
According to Charlie Freese, Executive Director of GM's Global Hydrotec Business, “Mining trucks are among the largest and most powerful vehicles used in the industry, and we believe fuel cells are best suited to power these demanding applications with zero emissions “.
Komatsu aims to halve its global emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. Plans to achieve these goals include reducing and eliminating emissions within the Company's product offering and in the Company's facilities and manufacturing of its products.
Class schedule
Rendering of Komatsu and GM's planned "930E Mining Truck" powered by GM's Hydrotec fuel cells. © Komatsu
