Hexagon Purus announced it would supplying components to Toyota North America (TMNA) for serial production of its heavy duty fuel cell electric powertrain kits.

Hexagon Purus will be providing a full hydrogen storage systems and high voltage battery packs for the powertrain kits.

Collaboration with Toyota started in 2017 as the automaker began development of the fuel cell electric powertrain kits for Class 8 trucks, including a proof of concept Alpha truck for the Port of Los Angeles, supporting the port's efforts to reduce emissions.

Hexagon Purus also collaborated on the hydrogen HD fuel cell electric truck powertrain for Ocean trucks used in the 2020 ZANZEFF Shore to Store programme.

“We are entering a new era in our collaboration with Toyota [through this deal],” said Todd Sloan, EVP of battery systems and vehicle integration.

“Combining our fuel cell stacks with Hexagon Purus storage systems and battery packs provides our customers a [product] to help meet their needs,” added Jay Sackett, chief engineer, advanced product planning office, Toyota Motor North America.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (TMMK) assembles integrated dual fuel cell modules for use in hydrogen powered trucks. The fuel cell kit, including the battery and hydrogen storage systems, will be sold to truck OEMs for FCEV Class 8 trucks.

Toyota has been granted a Zero Emission Powertrain (ZEP) Executive Order by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its new powertrain. The certification helps Class 8 OEMs and operators comply with increasingly strict emissions regulations in California.

There are around 1.8m commercial trucks operating daily in the state across various classes including 219,000 class 7 and 8 trucks.

According to CARB, the combined effect from the ACT and ACF regulations will lead to approximately 0.5m ZEVs on the road by 2035 in California, increasing to 1.6m in 2050.