Common Motors and Komatsu will co-develop a hydrogen gas cell energy module for Komatsu’s 930E electrical drive mining truck, the world’s best-selling ultra-class haul truck. GM, a frontrunner in hydrogen gas cell expertise, and Komatsu, a world producer of mining and development tools, will collectively design and validate the expertise.
Light-weight and fast to refuel, hydrogen gas cells are perfect for electrifying functions historically powered by diesel engines. Hydrogen supplies an efficient technique to bundle massive portions of power onboard the automobile, with out compromising payload carrying capability.
Moreover, gas cells present a superb zero tailpipe emissions answer for autos with excessive hauling necessities, just like the Komatsu 930E mining truck, with its nominal payload of 320 tons. These autos sometimes function at a single mine all through their life, which simplifies the challenges of sizing and deploying an efficient hydrogen refueling infrastructure to service the automobile fleet.
“At GM, we imagine gas cells can play an integral position in a zero-emissions future, serving to to affect heavier-duty functions, past passenger autos,” mentioned Charlie Freese, govt director of GM’s International HYDROTEC enterprise. “Mining vans are among the many largest, most succesful autos utilized in any {industry}, and we imagine hydrogen gas cells are finest suited to ship zero emissions propulsion to those demanding functions.”
Komatsu’s gas cell-powered mining vans will present a further pathway for decarbonization past battery-trolley or battery-static charging options, with out the necessity for extra charging infrastructure inside mines.
Komatsu has set a goal of decreasing its international emissions by 50% by 2030 and a problem goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2050. The plans for reaching these objectives embody decreasing and eliminating emissions inside the firm’s product choices, in addition to within the firm’s services and manufacturing of its merchandise. Komatsu additionally works carefully with its prospects on decreasing and eliminating emissions throughout product use by way of optimization applications supported by Komatsu expertise and repair options.
GM’s goal is to be totally carbon impartial in each merchandise and operations by 2040.
“Discovering new methods to energy the tools our prospects have to do the important work of mining and development is a important a part of our dedication to supporting a extra sustainable future,” mentioned Dan Funcannon, vp of North America engineering and improvement for Komatsu. “That is important work that requires cross-industry collaboration, and we’re excited to be working with GM on this vital answer for a haulage providing with out tailpipe emissions.”
GM and Komatsu intend to check the primary prototype HYDROTEC-powered mining automobile within the mid-2020s at Komatsu’s Arizona Proving Grounds (AZPG) analysis and improvement facility. This automobile can be powered by over 2 megawatts of HYDROTEC energy cubes.
GM has been conducting gas cell analysis and product improvement for greater than 50 years and is among the solely corporations with superior, homegrown expertise platforms for each lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen gas cells. GM and Komatsu imagine these complimentary applied sciences might help spur the adoption of lower-emission mobility options and assist different industries past passenger autos meet their sustainability objectives.
Dec 13, 2023