Quantron has long-range ambitions for U.S. Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell truck
Summary
Since its partnership with Ballard Power – maker of the FCMove MD and XD fuel cell systems – in 2021, the Augsburg, Germany-based hydrogen fuel-cell solutions provider already has introduced the QLI FCEV medium-duty truck and the QHM heavy-duty cabover tractor for the European market. What stands out about Quantron’s new North American tractor, at least on paper, is the range promise of 750-plus miles under maximum load with 80 kg of hydrogen storage at 700 bar of pressure. Richard Ansell, vice president of marketing for Quantron US, says the company is working to increase hydrogen storage to 120 kg, which would extend the FC8’s range well above 1,000 miles. “Trucking is all about efficiency, and that means maximum payloads and limited downtime and quick refueling.” As part of the company’s asset-light OEM strategy, the Quantron FC8 consists of a number of sourced components, including a 200-kWh capacity battery pack from Xerotech and fuel cells from Bosch. “[Customers] are realizing [battery-electric] Class 3 and 4 deliveries don’t generate the degree of service they need, running 14 to 16 hours a day and charging takes too much time and the electric grids are not ready,” said Perschke.