AEL and Ashok Leyland to develop Hydrogen powered trucks

Adani Enterprises Limited (AEL) and India's Ashok Leyland and Canada's Ballard Power have agreed to start a pilot project to develop a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck (FCET) for mining logistics and transportation.

The FCmoveTM fuel cell engine for the hydrogen truck will come from Ballard, a leading PEM fuel cell engine manufacturer, and Ashok Leyland, one of the largest bus manufacturers in the world, will provide the vehicle platform and technical support. In India, the FCET is expected to go live in 2023.

The 55-ton hydrogen-powered mining truck will be powered by Ballard's 120 kW PEM fuel cell technology, have three hydrogen tanks, and have a working range of 200 km.

Vinay Prakash, Director of Adani Enterprises Limited and CEO of Adani Natural Resources, has stated that experience of handling hydrogen as a fuel for commercial fleet not only prepones the advent of hydrogen technology for the mining and logistics sector in the country but will also enable other businesses to opt for long-term sustainable solutions transitioning fleets in ports, airports and in their industrial operations.

The collaboration, according to the company, marks Asia's first planned hydrogen powered mining truck. AEL, a company that focuses on mining operations and developing green hydrogen projects for sourcing, transporting, and constructing hydrogen refuelling infrastructure, will lead the demonstration project.

Randy MacEwen, CEO of Ballard Power Systems, stated, "Our technology offers a strong value proposition for their heavy-duty mining truck with our zero emission engines providing long range, rapid refuelling and heavy payload capabilities."