Toyota Takes Zero-Emission Haulage To The Next Level In The US

In an effort to further strengthen its pursuit of zero-emission freight transport, Toyota has unveiled its new, second-generation Beta hydrogen fuel cell electric heavy-duty truck in Michigan, US.

Capable of covering 480 km on a full tank, the Beta truck is more versatile and manoeuvrable than before. It is also equipped with a sleeper cab and a fuel cabinet combination that frees up more cabin space without increasing the wheelbase.

Featuring a 36,300 kg gross combined weight capacity and a driving range of more than 380 km on hydrogen, the truck is powered by 2 Mirai fuel cell stacks and a 12kW/h battery, producing more than 670 bhp and 1,796 Nm of torque.

While the original Alpha truck has already logged close to 12,000 km in testing, emitting nothing other than water vapour, the Beta will enter service later this year, further reducing the environmental impact of their haulage operations.

“By evaluating the first truck in our test facilities and on the actual roads in the LA area, we made a list of improvements for the Beta truck build process and performance enhancements,” said chief engineer Andrew Lund.

“We needed to move beyond a proof of concept, which the first truck accomplished, to something that is not only better than the original but is also more commercially viable.”

The announcement of the Beta truck project is a continuation of the Toyota Environmental Challenge 2050 effort to eliminate CO2 emissions at its Port of Long Beach logistics facility.

Previously, Toyota also announced the construction of the Tri-Gen operation, which will be the world’s first megawatt-capacity fuel cell power generation plant with hydrogen refuelling.

The plant will use agricultural waste to produce water and generate electricity and hydrogen to support the operations of Toyota Logistics Services at the Port of Long Beach, California.