NEWS
Isuzu and Honda in hydrogen collab ISUZU PLANS TO BRINGS ITS FIRST HYDROGEN FUEL cell-powered heavy truck to market in 2027 as a result of collaboration with Honda. The two Japanese companies have a new agreement which sees Honda developing and supplying the fuel cell system for Isuzu. It’s another transfer of fuel cell expertise from the automotive sector to heavy commercial vehicles similar to Hyundai developing the XCIENT Fuel Cell truck and Toyota working with PACCAR on programmes in North America. Honda’s experience with fuel cell cars dates back to prototypes as early as 1999 and it launched the Honda Clarity FCV in 2008. Isuzu and Honda believe that fuel cell technology, utilising hydrogen as fuel resulting in no CO2 emissions, will be effective to achieve carbon neutrality of heavy-duty trucks which are required to address large load capacity, long-time use, long-distance driving and the need for quick refuelling. Since the signing of an agreement in January 2020, to conduct joint research on heavy-duty trucks utilising fuel cells (FC) as the powertrain, the two companies have been working toward the establishment of a foundation for basic technologies such as ensuring the compatibility of fuel cells and heavyduty trucks and the development of vehicle control technologies.
The two companies plan to start demonstration testing of a prototype truck on public roads during the first quarter of next year. T&D
The joint hydrogen fuel cell programme between Isuzu and Honda aims to have a prototype testing on public roads in early 2024.
Changes to Penrose bridge height warning THE SENSORS AND SETTINGS FOR THE PENROSE Bridge Over Height Detection System (OHDS) on State Highway 1 in Auckland are changing from July 1 2023. The Penrose Bridge is the lowest clearance bridge above the Auckland motorway network and Waka Kotahi says the change is necessary to reduce damage and disruption caused by bridge strikes and to keep road users safe. The OHDS was installed in 2015 to prevent over height vehicles/loads from striking the bridge, however since then the bridge has been subject to significant impacts resulting in costly damage. The most common causes of motorway bridge strikes include unsecured crane booms and digger arms, uncovered open containers, loose loads and loads that have shifted during transit. From July 1 all of the Over Height Detection System (OHDS) sensors will be set at the critical clearance height. Before the Ellerslie off-ramp (southbound)
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and the Mt Wellington off-ramp (northbound) if the OHDS is activated by an over height load it will display the message; “Over Height Take Next Exit”. If vehicles do not take the exit, the OHDS sign on the Penrose Bridge will display the message; “Over Height Stop”. If the OHDS warning is activated, Waka Kotahi advises moving your vehicle into the over height vehicle lay-by, to remain in your vehicle and wait for assistance. Responders will be dispatched. “The maximum legal vehicle height without a permit is 4.3 metres and if the OHDS activates, then you are at risk of striking the bridge,” says Paul Geck, Waka Kotahi’s Alliance Manager, Auckland System Management. If you see the lights, you are over height.” Over dimension vehicle permits can be applied for at: https://www.nzta. govt.nz/commercial-driving/permits/overdimension-permits/application-foran-overdimension-permit/ T&D
