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DAF XF Hydrogen concept wins ‘IToY Truck Innovation Award 2022’
“With the introduction of the New Generation DAF trucks, we now have a complete and very energy efficient platform for new generations of alternative energy carriers and drivelines. A great example is the new DAF XF H2 Innovation Truck prototype with hydrogen internal combustion engine which has been honoured with the International Truck of the Year (IToY) Truck Innovation Award 2022,” stated Ron Borsboom, Executive Director Product Development, DAF Trucks, discussing the Dutch brand’s strategy toward zero emission road transport. “DAF’s philosophy is that we need to explore the full suite of technologies on the road of decarbonisation of road transport. Next to battery electric solutions which we already offer today and hybrid trucks which we have under development, hydrogen technology may become a very interesting option for the future. Hydrogen is certainly an option in the medium and long term for powering trucks. In fact, there are two different possibilities. A fuel cell that uses hydrogen to generate electricity to power the electric motor, or using hydrogen as a fuel for the combustion engine (ICE). In both cases, a 100% reduction in CO2 emissions can be realised if green hydrogen is applied,” he explained. DAF Trucks, together with its parent company PACCAR in the United States, is taking on the development of both technologies, with DAF engineering the latter FLEETTRANSPORT | FEB - MAR 22
ICE option, while its Seattle counterparts work on the Fuel Cell variant. “If we want to achieve a real breakthrough with hydrogen technology in the future, it is essential that the first steps are taken now. And that is exactly what we are doing. Together with Toyota and Shell, PACCAR has started extensive trials with hydrogen-powered trucks with sophisticated fuel cell technology in the port of Los Angeles.” “Compared to the fuel cell hydrogen solution, the combustion engine option has transient capabilities (eliminating the need for a large energy storage system). Other advantages include the lower cooling capabilities needed and lower sensitivity to hydrogen purity. Using hydrogen as a fuel means that in many areas use can be made of an existing distribution network: from green electric power generation to the location where it is needed. In addition, one should not forget that we in Europe have extensive knowledge and a comprehensive manufacturing footprint in the combustion engine technology. The European truck industry has commonly expressed the aim to refrain from using fossil fuels for their commercial vehicles as from 2040. Despite that, thanks to for instance hydrogen technology, the internal combustion engine still offers huge potential for the further future, especially in the heavy duty long haul transport segment.” Ron also mentioned that the H2 ICE system is the lowest cost zero CO2 solution. The energy efficiency is comparable to FCEV for heavy-duty applications. Extra cooling is required but since there are no batteries required, rare earth sourced materials are saved. DAF collaborated with scientific research
organisation TNO on the project, creating the demonstrator concept vehicle to increase the knowledge base and to determine the next development steps. These include further lowering emissions by combining SCR/H2 (with AdBlue) during combustion and thereby meeting Euro 7 engine emission targets. The award winning hydrogen powered tractor-unit carries four H2 fuel tanks, each having a 10kg capacity @350bar. *The Truck Innovation Award is an initiative of the International Truck of the Year (IToY) jury and acknowledges new, promising technological developments which can play a crucial role in a sustainable future in the commercial vehicle sector. The IToY jury praised the handling characteristics, seamless acceleration and user-friendly human machine interface (HMI) of the prototype. The ITOY journalists appreciated DAF Truck’s innovative approach to alternative propulsion and energy transition, which takes advantage of the dynamic qualities of the internal
combustion engine while ensuring zero CO2 emissions from the tailpipe. In this perspective, the jury believes that innovative hydrogen combustion solutions could play an important role by harnessing established technologies and supply chains. They can be an additional component of an OEM’s future powertrain portfolios, alongside BatteryElectric Vehicles (BEVs) and Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs).
