Following the initial release of images and information about its fuel cell-powered electric truck, Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) has now formally introduced the Giga Fuel Cell at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. This truck is a test bed for emissions-free trucks that will build up to Isuzu’s overarching vision of a clean and sustainable propulsion system for its trucks in the future.
The model showcased at the Japanese Mobility Show is a functional unit, featuring the common low-deck truck setup used for intercity transportation. Isuzu states that the Giga Fuel Cell can achieve an emission-free range of over 800 km on a full hydrogen tank. The emissions-free part isn’t entirely true if we’re being technical, because, like other hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, the Giga Fuel Cell emits water and warm air as the system produces electricity. Warm air and some water, that’s all the Giga Fuel Cell will emit during its journey.
For Isuzu, fuel cell technology and hydrogen are pivotal pathways toward achieving carbon neutrality in heavy-duty trucks, all while maintaining substantial cargo capacity. By harnessing the Giga Fuel Cell's capacity for efficient transport over long distances, Isuzu and its partners aim to pave the way for the adoption of this sustainable powertrain in forthcoming heavy-duty truck models.
The core of the system inside the Giga Fuel Cell consists of a solid polymer fuel cell stack. Equipped with four 103 kW fuel cell stacks and a 56-kilogram hydrogen storage capacity, the vehicle is driven by a potent 320 kW electric motor. This system allows the Giga Fuel Cell to reach the 800 km range we mentioned earlier.
In addition to its emission-free fuel cell system, the Giga Fuel Cell offers the capability to supply power to external equipment. This function operates through two CHAdeMO connectors, providing a maximum power supply of 530 kWh. If you’re wondering what CHAdeMO means, it is an abbreviation of "CHArge de MOve" translated as “Charge for Moving” by the CHAdeMO Association. In addition, "CHArge de MOve" is derived from a Japanese phrase that means “How about some tea?”.
Public road testing is set to start before the conclusion of the fiscal year, ending on March 31, 2024. Afterward, the goal is to introduce the production model to the market by 2027.
