Following a successful trial of a hydrogen-powered 2008 Mack Granite, ACFS Port Logistics is looking to further implement the source of energy into its fleet of over 300 trucks.
In a partnership with H2Zero Diesel Reduction, ACFS Port Logistics recently ran a three-month trial using a supplementary hydrogen system to reduce carbon emissions.
The trial involved testing the system, mounted on the back of the Granite, within a 100-kilometre radius around ACFS’ Queensland port.
Following the trial, ACFS’ fuel emission test delivered a 16.8 per cent reduction in diesel consumption on the 15-litre Euro 5 truck.
ACFS Port Logistics National Fleet & Compliance Manager, Alan Guest, told Prime Mover a fuel saving that high is astronomical.
“It was a really good outcome for fuel savings, and it was also a good outcome for our carbon footprint,” he said.
“Fuel is one of our biggest costs, so any saving is very good for us.”
Driver of the Mack, Daryl, said he was very impressed with the truck’s increased performance and economy.
“It has been regularly hauling 80 to 110 tonnes around the port area, only now it is exhibiting extra power,” he told Prime Mover.
“In particular, with one dip in the road I could only get 40km per hour up the hill, but it now pulls up at 60 km per hour.
Guest said the next step is to roll the system out on ACFS’ national fleet.
“We’re working with H2Zero Diesel Reduction now on the way forward and how we will expand it into our fleet,” he said.
“We’re confident we can put it into any of our customers’ operations at a Euro 6 level. So the sooner we put them on more vehicles, the better.”
The HydraGEN system works by acting as a combustion enhancer to combust available diesel fuel faster and earlier in the power stroke.
It produces hydrogen as required rather than having it stored, and according to H2Zero, it can save operators up to ten per cent on torque efficiency.
In addition, H2Zero hydrogen isn’t introduced under pressure with the system.
Following ACFS’ trial, H2Zero Diesel Reduction Managing Director, Geoff Eberhard, told Prime Mover the fleet is expecting to get a return on investment within 12 months.
“The result from the performance of the Mack truck was excellent, and that’s taken off their own records,” he said.
“The company has spent quite a few million setting up that project, and for quite a few large fleet owners, it will be highly beneficial.”
According to Eberhard, the project was very smooth with only a three-hour installation time.
“ACFS has been an excellent client and they’ve been fully cooperative,” he said.
“We are hopefully going to place more hydrogen units in the ACFS system.”