Next week Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC) will hold the world premiere of two hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck concept models at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 starting 30 October in Tokyo.
MFTBC will unveil two concept models at the event, the H2IC, a heavy-duty truck powered by an
internal combustion engine that combusts hydrogen, and the H2FC, a heavy-duty truck powered by
a fuel cell system.
MFTBC believes hydrogen is an effective means to achieve carbon neutrality for commercial vehicles involved in heavy-duty transport and long-distance haulage, owing to its high energy content, long range, and short refuelling time.
By utilising components and technologies common to diesel trucks, the H2IC has the potential to enable a faster and smoother transition to hydrogen vehicles.
The H2IC technology, for example, shows particular strength in high-power applications such as construction vehicles.
The H2IC is fuelled with compressed hydrogen gas.
In the H2FC, a fuel cell system converts hydrogen to electricity, which then powers an electric motor.
The H2FC stores hydrogen in liquid form, which has a higher density compared to compressed
hydrogen gas.
This enables a vehicle with up to 1200 kilometres of driving range, refuellable in 15 minutes and with reportedly no compromise on load body space.
In what is regarded as a Japan-first, the heavy duty H2FC is equipped with a liquid hydrogen tank designed for subcooled liquid hydrogen (sLH2) refuelling.
Jointly developed by Daimler Truck and Linde Engineering, a global leader in industrial gases and hydrogen infrastructure, this is a liquid hydrogen filling technology that eliminates the need to discharge the evaporated hydrogen gas by pressurising hydrogen during refuelling.
It also reduces boil-off during operation. This addresses a challenge previously faced when handling liquid hydrogen.
Furthermore, sLH2 significantly simplifies the equipment required at hydrogen stations when using compressed hydrogen gas, contributing to reduced infrastructure costs and the realisation of a hydrogen society.
To establish the sLH2 technology in Japan, MFTBC has been conducting joint research with Iwatani
Corporation, the sole domestic supplier of liquid hydrogen.
The sLH2 is currently being discussed by the relevant parties with a view to develop ISO standardisation.
In Japan, MFTBC has been collaborating with Iwatani Corporation on joint research regarding sLH2 filling technology, regulations, and commercialisation, advancing efforts to establish sLH2 filling technology in the country.
MFTBC is also working to build collaborative frameworks with external companies and institutions to support the implementation of sLH2 refuelling technology in Japan.
As a front runner in BEV solutions for light duty trucks, MFTBC now also aims to demonstrate leading
future ZEV solutions for heavy duty trucks.
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