Dive Brief:
- Hyzon Motors’ fuel cell trucks are performing better than expected in trials with major fleets, and most carriers piloting the equipment have entered discussions for potential orders, according to its Q3 earnings report.
- The company has completed 10 trials for its Class 8 and refuse hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks since July, and all have been successful, CEO Parker Meeks said during a Nov. 13 earnings call.
- “It’s the first zero-emission truck [fleets have] tried that can actually do the work, and that the economics are actually better than they expected, given the fuel efficiency advantages that we are showing,” Meeks said.
Dive Insight:
Hyzon’s goal is to manufacture Class 8 fuel cell trucks that can match the performance of diesel engines without compromise.
So in trials, the company is setting the bar high — 150- to 500-mile ranges, carrying 60,000 pounds to nearly 90,000 pounds, and climbing 6% to 8% grades, Meeks said.
“They are showing up to 50% better fuel efficiency than diesel, which is critical because fuel is up to half of the total cost of ownership for a Class 8 truck,” he said, adding that fuel efficiency is even better on the refuse truck.
Hyzon began production of its single-stack 200-kilowatt fuel cell system in October, enabling it to manufacture at commercial scale. Innovation comes with a cost, however, as the company’s cash burn was nearly $25 million during Q3, while revenue was just $100,000, according to its Q3 earnings release.
Although Hyzon is raising capital to sustain its operations, commercialization is underway with more than 20 additional trials planned through February. Many of its completed trials are in active commercial agreement negotiations, the company said.
The supplier recently announced a deal with GreenWaste, a recycling company, for 12 fuel cell trucks to be delivered in Q4 2025. Meeks called the purchase agreement a “crucial validation of our technology.”
