Kalmar Ottawa T2 terminal tractor
Kalmar, part of Cargotec, is collaborating with Toyota Tsusho America Inc. and global strategic environmental engineering consultancy Ricardo in a project to develop fuel cell powered terminal tractors.
As part of the project, a Kalmar customer in the US will trial two Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors powered by fuel technology at their container terminal on the west coast.
Chris Dvorak, director of engineering at Kalmar, said: “We are applying the learnings we have gained from our battery-electric platform to implement a modular fuel cell platform that will help customers meet increasingly strict emissions targets.
“This is in line with our terminal tractor roadmap and supports Cargotec’s 1.5°C climate ambition. As part of this effort, we are partnering with leaders in the fuel cell space to demonstrate the feasibility of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies for terminal tractor applications.”
Fuel cell technologies are emerging as a viable alternative to batteries for zero-emission vehicle solutions.
In 2020, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Advanced Clean Truck requirement which requires truck manufacturers to shift away from fossil fuels to zero-emission technology.
Beginning in 2024, manufacturers must increase their zero-emission truck sales to between 30-50% by 2030 and 40-75% by 2035.
UK-based Ricardo plc is responsible for the design, integration, and assembly of the fuel cells into the Kalmar Ottawa platform.
Adrian Schaffer, president of emerging mobility at Ricardo, said: “We have worked alongside Kalmar and Toyota Tsushu America Inc. to undertake the initial stages of this exciting project.
“Applying our experience and design expertise in fuel cell systems and integration, we have integrated a commercially available fuel cell system that will deliver cleaner and more efficient propulsion for the Kalmar terminal tractor chasses.”
Compared to battery-powered solutions, fuel cell powered terminal tractors will offer Kalmar customers extended operational uptime and reduce the need for new investments in electrical grid infrastructure.
Koji Nakagawa, vice president of Toyota Tsushu America Inc., said: “We are delighted that Kalmar has selected fuel cell technology for integration into its terminal tractor platform.
“We believe that zero-emission fuel cell technology offers a viable pathway forward for operators in the logistics space to achieve their emission-reduction targets.”
