A group of hydrogen stakeholders – including Hyundai, Nikola Motor, and Toyota – have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to test state-of-the art heavy duty (HD) hydrogen fueling hardware to assist in standardization and speed to market for fuel cell electric trucks.

The trio of truck and auto makers are joined by Shell, Air Liquide and Nel Hydrogen Fueling to form a cross-industry group of both vehicle and infrastructure companies with the purpose to test pre-commercial 70MPa hydrogen heavy duty vehicle high flow (H70HF) fueling hardware for future Class 8 trucks.

The industry group has created specifications for the fueling nozzle, vehicle receptacle, dispenser hose and breakaway device components for this HD application for the purpose of developing Request for Proposals to suppliers.

“Heavy duty fuel cell trucks offer the same range as their conventional diesel counterparts and fueling hardware is being developed to fill in 10 minutes,” says Jesse Schneider, executive vice president, Nikola Motor, Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies. “Key members of the industry have joined forces to evaluate HD Fueling Hardware to make this a reality. The goal is to enable interoperability so that any HD FCEVs can fuel at our hydrogen stations and we can fill at any of theirs, just like diesel today. This is a big first step.”

The group is requesting notification of suppliers’ intent to participate in a pre-commercial development and test program designed specifically for fueling hardware. The fueling hardware samples will undergo performance tests in accordance with the appropriate SAE/ISO/CSA industry standards along with additional aspects for this emerging market.

“Hydrogen as fuel for the heavy duty transport sector is showing great promise and traction, and we are now in the process of developing the next generation, high capacity stations for this segment. In order to enable commercial success for this segment, standardization of fueling hardware is a key,” says Nel Hydrogen Fueling Senior Vice President Jørn Rosenlund.