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Batteries
LG Cathode Plant
LG Chem has commenced the construction of a cathode plant in the U.S., intending to establish a production hub for the global battery material market. The facility, located in Montgomery County, Clarksville, Tennessee, will locally produce cathode materials optimized for North American electric vehicles (EVs) and collaborate with key partners from development to supply chain.
On December 19, local time, LG Chem held the groundbreaking ceremony for its cathode plant in Tennessee. The event was attended by guests including Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, Commissioner Stuart McWhorter, Senator Marsha Blackburn, Korean Ambassador to the United States Cho Hyun-dong, Clarksville City Mayor Joe Pitts and Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden. Key attendees from LG Chem were CEO Shin Hak-cheol, President of Advanced Materials Company Nam Chul and Head of Battery Materials Business Unit Lee Hyang-mok.
“With the Tennessee cathode material plant as the center, LG Chem will undoubtedly leap to become the top cathode material supplier in North America,” CEO Shin Hak-cheol commented. “LG Chem will execute the vision to become the world’s leading comprehensive battery material company, establishing a stable supply chain resilient to any environment.”
“Tennessee’s pro-business environment and skilled workforce provide global companies with the tools they need to succeed,” said Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. “I congratulate LG Chem on today’s significant milestone and thank the company for its investment in Tennessee.”
“Tennessee strives to be the premier destination for the next generation of innovation and high-quality jobs and because of companies like LG Chem, we are one step closer to that goal,” said Stuart C. McWhorter, Commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development. “I look forward to seeing this impressive facility in the years ahead.”
LG Chem will invest around KRW 2 trillion (USD 1.6 billion) in the first phase to build a cathode plant with an annual capacity of 60,000 tons on a 1.7 million square meter site in Clarksville, Tennessee. The plant is expected to be the largest cathode material facility in the United States, capable of producing cathode materials for approximately 600,000 high-performance pure electric vehicles with a range of 500 km annually.
Starting from 2026, the Tennessee cathode plant will mass-produce NCMA (Nickel, Cobalt, Manganese, Aluminum) cathode materials. LG Chem plans to diversify its product portfolio through future-generation cathode material products and expand production capacity in response to increasing demand. LG Chem previously signed a comprehensive agreement for the long-term supply of 950,000 tons of cathode materials with General Motors (GM) last year and a North American cathode material supply contract worth KRW 2.9 trillion (USD 2.5 billion) with Toyota in October this year.
Tennessee offers excellent geographical accessibility for customer deliveries and raw material imports. LG Chem plans to use the Tennessee facility as a base for communication with customers, producing customized cathode materials optimized for North American electric vehicles from the development stage.
Through the plant, LG Chem aims to actively respond to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) of the Biden Administration, helping customers meet EV tax credits criteria. The Tennessee plant will secure a reliable supply chain for minerals and precursors from nations with U.S. free trade agreements (FTAs). For instance, it will utilize precursors from Ulsan by Korea Precursor Company (KPC), a joint venture of LG Chem and Korea Zinc.
LG Chem will enhance the manufacturing competitiveness of the Tennessee plant by advancing its engineering technology of the calcination process, securing the world’s highest-level annual production capacity of 10,000 tons per line. LG Chem will also apply smart factory technology to the Tennessee plant, automating the entire production process and establishing a quality analysis and control system.
In addition, LG Chem is discussing collaboration with U.S. battery recycling companies regarding material supply cooperation. The company plans to operate the plant with 100% renewable energy, including solar and hydro power, in collaboration with local power supply companies.
NIGRID Battery, a University of California, San Diego spin-off startup company, announces that it has received its first commercial MWh-scale purchase orders for their advanced sodium ion batteries. The company was founded in 2021 from the groundbreaking Ph.D. research work by Dr. Darren H. S. Tan and Dr. Erik A. Wu, who were both advised by Prof. Zheng Chen and Prof. Shirley Meng, prominent figures in the battery field.
NextStar, LG & Stellantis EV Battery Plant Windsor, Ontario
NextStar Energy celebrated a “Topping Out” ceremony with local trades employees to commemorate the last structural steel beam installed in the construction of its new EV battery plant in Windsor, Ontario. The ceremony included a steel beam signing, team photos and a few words of appreciation from NextStar Energy leadership.
Construction of the nearly 4.23 million square foot NextStar Energy joint venture EV battery plant with parent companies Stellantis and LG Energy Solution is progressing at a rapid pace and is now approximately 30 per cent complete, with the work-to-date having been performed by a 100 per cent Canadian crew of 950 craft workers. The project remains on track with the first phase of operations, the battery modular production, set to begin in the first half of 2024.
Construction of the NextStar plant began in August 2022 with site clearing, mass grading, and foundation activities. The first of two main buildings, known as the Module Building, has completed structural steel installation and is fully enclosed, with equipment installation that started last week. The second building, known as the Cell Building, is nearing completion of structural steel erection and is approximately 40 per cent enclosed.
“People driving by the facility daily are witnessing this historic building take shape as we near the end of the construction process and prepare to enter the installation process,” said Danies Lee, CEO NextStar Energy. “We will have thousands of skilled experts at the site helping to build a world-class facility that will produce leading-edge lithium-ion battery cells and modules for the next generation of electric vehicles. We are grateful to the nearby businesses and residents for their patience during the construction process.”
The project will be brought to life by up to 3,200 tradespeople and equipment installers (1,600 construction and 1,600 installation). Of that number, 2,300 are being serviced by Canadians. To date, the project has seen nearly 1,600,000 labour-hours accumulated by Canadian construction tradespeople, out of a projected 6,800,000 hours (equivalent to 776 years) in total for the construction portion of the project.
Once complete, the facility will represent the first large-scale, domestic, electric-vehicle battery manufacturing facility in Canada. The plant aims to have an annual production capacity of 49.5 gigawatt hours (GWh), up from the original 45 GWh, and will create an estimated 2,500 new jobs in Windsor and the surrounding areas.
NextStar will produce leading edge lithium-ion battery cells and modules, representing approximately 40 per cent of Stellantis’ electric-vehicle production requirements in North America. As part of its Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, the company committed to having electric vehicles make up more than 50 per cent of its U.S. and Canadian sales by the end of the decade.
In total, the plant’s building footprint will span 4.23 million square-feet including ancillary structures – equivalent in size to approximately eight Rogers Centre stadiums in Toronto.
Construction of the plant is being managed by Alberici-Barton Malow (A-BM) JV, a joint venture comprised of Alberici and Barton Malow.
Minerals
Ionic Nano-Silicon
Ionic Mineral Technologies, a pioneering US-based producer of nano-silicon anode powders, has partnered with international technology group ANDRITZ to mass produce critical battery materials for next-generation lithium-ion batteries. The partnership aims to scale Ionic MT’s nano-silicon production methodology to meet the surging demand for battery materials that enable faster-charging, longer-range lithium-ion batteries.
Andre Zeitoun, CEO of Ionic MT, commented, “Our collaboration will set a new standard for sustainability in the battery supply chain and contribute to making the U.S. a leading global producer of critical materials at the scale necessary to support the fast-growing clean energy economy.”
Ionic MT intends to leverage ANDRITZ’s state-of-the-art automation and simulation as well as dewatering, drying and acid regeneration technologies to manufacture Ionisil, a naturally derived nano-silicon anode material for lithium-based batteries that enhances anode capacity up to eightfold and significantly accelerates charging speed. The partnership will transition Ionic MT’s patented nano-silicon production technology into a large-scale, continuous manufacturing process that yields over 20,000 tons of Ionisil per year, enough to supply well over 2.5 million EVs annually.
At the heart of this partnership lies a shared commitment to efficiency and sustainability. The collaboration aims to achieve up to 99% recycling of chemicals used in the Ionisil nano-silicon production process through cutting-edge technologies engineered by ANDRITZ. Alumina and magnesium waste streams from Ionisil production are planned to be converted into value-added by-products, contributing to a circular economy. An ANDRITZ site-wide control system and operational readiness package will ensure consistent product quality while optimizing resources utilization.
“With the electrification of transportation accelerating, the need for a robust and sustainable supply chain of battery materials has never been greater,” said Mark Staton, President and CEO North America at ANDRITZ Inc. “The collaborative effort between Ionic MT and ANDRITZ is a proactive step towards shaping a more sustainable future.”
UNIGRID Sodium Ion Scales Up
UNIGRID saw an immediate opportunity for sodium ion in North America’s residential, behind-the-meter energy storage system (ESS) market (ie., the power packs– like Tesla’s Powerwall– that are installed in homes). They have moved quickly to scale up and produce their first product, their first-generation cylindrical cell.
“There is a massive market gap that current battery technologies cannot meet. Sodium ion is very compelling as it is a less-expensive and safer battery without the lithium supply chain uncertainties.” – Darren H. S. Tan, CEO.
Due to this combination of properties, sodium ion batteries are emerging as the next big wave in battery technology. UNIGRID’s unique approach, the use of a tin anode instead of hard carbon, is a breakthrough for sodium-ion batteries; it increases the volumetric energy density to be competitive with and even exceed that of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, overcoming a previous competitive disadvantage.
“Tin alloy anode in sodium ion overcomes the common failure modes of silicon, such as particle cracking from volume expansion, active material losses, and capacity degradation. Tin opens up many possibilities for sodium ion.” – Erik A. Wu, CTO of UNIGRID.
Third party testing and validation on the advanced sodium ion batteries has been completed, and UNIGRID is on track to deliver MWh quantities of its advanced sodium ion batteries to customers in 2024. The team is currently ramping up production in San Diego, California, in order to meet the rapidly growing interest and demand for their sodium-ion batteries.
“The U.S. has massive reserves of sodium and has huge potential to strengthen our grid’s resilience. We fully expect batteries to be an essential appliance for every home, like a refrigerator, but for electrons.” – Dr. Shirley Meng, Professor of the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering at the University of Chicago and Adjunct Professor of Nanoengineering at University of California San Diego. Professor Meng also serves as the Chief Scientist for Argonne’s Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science (ACCESS)
Li-ion batteries have made great progress in enabling electric vehicles and portable devices. However, powering our nation’s grid, enabling more renewables, and driving forward a successful clean energy transition requires a diverse array of energy generation and storage technologies, and the UNIGRID team believes that sodium-ion will have a significant part to play in the energy landscape moving forward.
ACE A-LFP Cathodes Material
Advanced Cell Engineering Inc. (ACE) is a leading Technology Innovation Company that develops High Energy Safe A-LFP Battery Chemistry, Materials, and Cell Designs.
ACE is pleased to announce the commercial launch of its A-LFP Cathode Material
Effective immediately, Companies that use LFP and would like to dramatically improve the performance of their LFP battery cells may purchase a Technology License which enables them to use ACE’s Innovative Battery Materials.
A-LFP Cathode Material
ACE’s A-LFP Cathode Material is a high-performance cathode active material (CAM) that significantly improves the battery’s energy density, cycle life, and safety profile.
ACE designed A-LFP Cathode Material for:
- Mass Production
- Manufacturing using industry-standard equipment
- Readily available raw materials
- Highly scalable manufacturing process
Prospective customers are encouraged to evaluate A-LFP Cathode Material’s performance by obtaining samples from the company and may contact John.Nettuno@advancedcellengineering.com for further information.
TDK Ventures Invests in Exponent Energy
TDK Corporation (TSE: 6762) announced that subsidiary TDK Ventures has invested in battery and charging system innovator Exponent Energy and its reimagining of EV battery technology, tailor-made for the Indian last-mile logistics market. Coming fresh off helping build the 2W EV OEM Ather, now a highly valued EV startup in India, Exponent Energy founders Arun Vinayak and Sanjay Byalal Jagannath have led a top-notch team of technical experts to bring a much-needed solution to the Indian battery market, where cost efficiency and last-mile logistics are crucial.
Exponent’s proprietary energy stack – comprised of the battery pack (e^pack), charging station (e^pump), and charging connector (e^plug) together unlock a 0%-100% rapid charge, in 15 minutes for EVs and a 3000-cycle lifetime warranty using regular LFP cells. Exponent partners with OEMs to integrate its e^pack to create a rapid charging variant and sets up a network of e^pumps for users operating in logistics to seamlessly charge their Exponent-powered EVs.
In the last 9 months, its technology has achieved product market fit with customers in India, with over 500 Exponent-powered EVs covering over 3 million kilometers and completing 60,000+ rapid charging sessions.
Energy transformation shouldn’t be restricted to a subset of society; decarbonization is important for everyone, and through its technology, Exponent Energy provides greater access to energy-transformative technologies. That is exactly why TDK Ventures partnered with Exponent Energy: to support both organizations’ mutual vision for improving tomorrow through technology. The TDK Ventures team hopes to scale Exponent’s solution and help accelerate their development.
Exponent Energy CEO, Arun Vinayak stated, “Mobility is about freedom and accessibility. To unlock EV adoption at scale, we need EVs to charge faster, last longer, and cost a whole lot less. Our mission to simplify the broken energy ecosystem and provide greater access to energy-transformative technologies struck a chord with TDK – making this a perfect partnership. We’re excited to work closely together to transform the EV industry.”
Nicolas Sauvage, TDK Ventures President commented, “I was impressed by Arun and his talented team when I met them in their office in Bengaluru earlier this year. Exponent’s groundbreaking achievement in crafting an economical and scalable 15-minute rapid charging solution utilizing standard LFP cells is revolutionary, allowing electric vehicles to adopt a more compact battery pack that can swiftly charge within a concentrated public charging infrastructure, effectively removing range anxiety. We share the vision of expanding rapid charging accessibility at a reasonable cost, making electric mobility an option for everyone. This collaboration represents an exciting stride toward a more sustainable and electrified future.”
To learn more about TDK Ventures, interested startups or investment partners should visit www.tdk-ventures.com or reach out at contact@tdk-ventures.com.
VinFast & Marubeni Secondary EV Batteries
VinFast, Vietnam’s leading electric vehicles manufacturer, and Marubeni Corporation (“Marubeni”), a major Japanese trading and investment conglomerate, officially announced a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to explore opportunities in the secondary use of electric vehicle (EV) batteries and the potential to establish a circular economy model. The MOU marks a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between these two companies, and represents a meaningful effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Vietnam and globally.
Charging
AmpUp Funded by Connecticut’s PURA
AmpUp, the leading electric vehicle (EV) charging operating system, is proud to announce it has been awarded up to $1.7 million in project funding by the State of Connecticut’s Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) for EV charging demand flexibility.
The grant was awarded on December 13th, 2023 under PURA’s ‘Innovative Energy Solutions’ program, a statewide initiative to identify, pilot, and scale innovative ideas that enable a decarbonized, affordable, and equitable electric grid for Connecticut. The pilot aims to provide grid operators with a scalable solution to balance energy demand during peak periods by decreasing load at EV stations, ultimately leading to cost savings for ratepayers.
“The AmpUp team could not be more excited to receive this grant. We are eager to accelerate the EV transition in the state by exploring EV charging management capabilities with utilities, station owners, and EV drivers,” said Tom Sun, CEO & Cofounder of AmpUp. “We are investing heavily in the State of Connecticut and excited to see opportunities like this grow local jobs in addition to helping the state meet their air quality goals”.
AmpUp was 1 of 7 final awardees among more than 50 applicants, and the only EV charging company selected for this phase of funding. The project is planned to kick off in 2024 and is tied to state-goals of meeting clean air standards, growing EV adoption, and supporting underserved communities.
AmpUp was also one of the first companies to receive an investment through Connecticut Innovations’ recently launched $100 million ClimateTech Fund.
NACS VW Audi, Porsche & Scout
Volkswagen, Audi, Porsche and Scout Motors today announced planned implementation of the North American Charging Standard (NACS) for future products in the North American region, beginning in 2025. To enable existing customers with a Combined Charging System (CCS) charging port to access the Tesla Supercharger network—which would greatly expand charging provider choice—the brands are exploring adapter solutions for existing vehicles. This has the potential to expand customer charging access to more than 15,000 Superchargers. This is in addition to the more than 3,800 DC fast charging outlets currently in operation by Electrify America and Electrify Canada.
Electrify America has already announced it will work to offer the NACS connector at charging stations by 2025 in North America, as well as continuing to support CCS.
WOLFBOX New Level 2 EV Charger
WOLFBOX, a trusted brand in the automotive electronics market, has unveiled its latest innovation, the WOLFBOX Level 2 Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger. This cutting-edge charging solution is designed to meet the evolving needs of electric vehicle owners, offering a smart and versatile charging experience.
The charging landscape in the US is currently fragmented, with different manufacturers and charging networks using different plugs and connectors. To provide a comprehensive charging solution for all EV owners, WOLFBOX offers customer support for Tesla owners to obtain the necessary adapter for seamless compatibility.
The charger is equipped with advanced features, including scheduled charging, remote monitoring of the charging status, and compatibility with RFID cards, making it a comprehensive and user-centric charging solution. Additionally, the availability of models with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity further enhances the charger’s appeal by providing advanced connectivity options for users.
The charger is available in two variants, offering 40A and 50A charging capabilities. The 50A model provides faster charging, making it suitable for electric vehicles with larger battery capacities, while the 40A model offers efficient charging for a wide range of electric vehicles. Additionally, the WOLFBOX Level 2 EV Charger is available in two installation options: hardwired and NEMA 14-50 plug, providing customers with flexible and seamless charging solutions. The hardwired installation offers a permanent and seamless charging solution, while the NEMA 14-50 plug provides a more flexible and portable charging option.
The WOLFBOX Level 2 EV Charger is equipped with a high-quality LCD screen and complemented by lighting effects to provide users with a convenient and informative charging experience. The high-definition LCD screen offers clear visibility, allowing users to easily monitor the charging status, including the charging rate, time, voltage, and charged state. Additionally, the lighting effects integrated into the design of the WOLFBOX EV Charger contribute to its user-friendly interface, providing a visually appealing and intuitive charging experience.
“We are excited to expand our product line and offer solutions for electric vehicle owners worldwide,” said Jonathan Smith, CEO of WOLFBOX. “The launch of the WOLFBOX Level 2 EV Charger marks a significant milestone for our company, and we are committed to providing innovative and reliable charging solutions for our customers.”
The WOLFBOX Level 2 EV Charger is now available for purchase, providing customers with a smart and versatile charging experience for their electric vehicles. For more information about the WOLFBOX Level 2 EV Charger and other WOLFBOX products, please visit the WOLFBOX official website and Amazon.
This launch represents WOLFBOX’s dedication to providing high-quality and innovative solutions for electric vehicle owners, leveraging its established reputation in the automotive electronics industry. The WOLFBOX Level 2 EV Charger is set to make a significant impact in the EV charging market, offering a seamless and efficient charging experience for electric vehicle owners.
Electric Vehicles
Nikola, HYLA & FEF Agreement
Nikola Corporation (Nasdaq: NKLA), a global leader in zero-emissions transportation and energy supply and infrastructure solutions, via the HYLA brand, and FirstElement Fuel (FEF), a world leader in hydrogen refueling station solutions, have formalized a definitive 10-year agreement to refuel Nikola’s hydrogen fuel cell electric truck at FEF’s hydrogen refueling station in Oakland, Calif. This collaboration unifies their commitment to driving the widespread adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles and marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable tomorrow.
Under this strategic partnership, FEF is appointed as an authorized Nikola Fueling Solutions Partner. This collaboration enables Nikola customers to access fueling services at the new FEF multi-use heavy-duty truck station situated strategically near the port in Oakland, Calif. The station, which uses FEF’s proprietary design, anticipates a fueling capacity of approximately 200 trucks per day, and will boast the world’s first heavy-duty truck H70 fast-fill lane for efficient hydrogen refueling. The station received funding from the California Energy Commission under the NorCal Zero Project. This agreement aligns seamlessly with Nikola’s initial truck launch strategy, concentrating on the deployment of its zero-emissions trucks in areas adjacent to Maritime Ports throughout Calif. and serves as the first of many partner stations to come.
The Oakland station’s fast-fill lane is a prime example of the synergies between Nikola’s advanced truck technology as well as FEF’s station capabilities and demonstrates Nikola’s commitment to enabling the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles in Northern Calif. Nikola plans to utilize several paths to achieve a network of up to 60 stations in the coming years, including mobile and permanent HYLA branded stations, customer-owned stations, and new and established public truck stops via Nikola’s fueling station partner network. Two fueling solutions locations are slated by the end of 2023 — one HYLA branded fueling station in Ontario, Calif. and the FEF Oakland location. Several additional fueling solutions locations are planned by the close of Q2 2024.
Nikola’s broader strategy involves working with industry-leading partners to ensure a robust hydrogen supply chain, transport logistics, storage solutions, and dispensing locations. As Nikola previously announced, enough energy offtake has been secured to support customer operations through the beginning of 2024. The team is actively working to secure additional hydrogen offtake for future sales while continuing to develop the refueling ecosystem.
“This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to transform the transportation industry and we are proud to play a role in powering Nikola’s innovative hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks,” said Joel Ewanick, Founder and Executive Chairman of FEF. “We are confident the synergy between our shared expertise and vision will help to reshape the landscape of clean and sustainable transportation, driving towards a future powered by hydrogen.”
California leads the charge in reducing carbon emissions, especially in high-traffic ports, with Nikola’s Class 8 hydrogen fuel cell electric truck playing a crucial role in advancing these initiatives. This station and partnership underscore Nikola and FEF’s commitment to meeting state and federal zero-emission goals. The deployment of refueling infrastructure is pivotal to the energy transition, and the strategic placement of the FEF station in Oakland marks a significant milestone in this joint mission.
FEF is in the process of installing a number of hydrogen refueling stations capable of fast-filling for Class 8 trucks. This strategic initiative with Nikola will enable an acceleration of FEF’s commitment to building hydrogen infrastructure to serve transportation hubs in areas where clean solutions are imperative.
Nikola plans to develop a series of new hydrogen fueling locations under the brand name HYLA throughout Southern Calif. in the coming months followed by Northern Calif. to support the recent launch of the Nikola hydrogen fuel cell electric truck. Supplementing these stations will be a network of hydrogen fueling solution partners that will create additional hydrogen fueling opportunities for Nikola customers. The combination of these hydrogen fueling options will help facilitate the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell electric trucks and the decarbonization of transportation.
First Hydrogen FCEV Program for North America
First Hydrogen Corp., after successful UK vehicle trials, is pleased to announce the launch of its new hydrogen-powered-fuel-cell vehicle (“FCEV”) program for North America. First Hydrogen intends to develop two additional demonstrator FCEVs to showcase with potential North American fleet customers. The Company will continue its successful trial program in the United Kingdom with interested fleet operators.
First Hydrogen’s FCEV trials have shown hydrogen power will be essential to meet the critical range, payload towing and fast refuelling capabilities required by fleet operators in sectors such as grocery, parcel delivery, mining and utilities which cannot be met by battery-electric vehicles (“BEV”). Over the past year, First Hydrogen’s UK engineering team’s dedication to the development of the Company’s FCEV has created leading know-how and expertise in the hydrogen automotive sector.
The North American demonstrator program is the next step towards the Company’s plans to build a vehicle assembly facility and green hydrogen production plant in Shawinigan, Quebec. The Company’s “Hydrogen as-a-Service” model will provide customers in the Montreal-Quebec City hub with clean green hydrogen fuel and zero-emission commercial vehicles in order to accelerate the creation of zero-emission ecosystem solutions. The assembly facility target will be for annual production of up to 25,000 vehicles for distribution throughout North America and will represent a major boost to green technology jobs in the region.
The North American, Quebec-based, development program will be led by Stéphane Gagnon as the Lead Engineer. Mr. Gagnon brings overs 30 years of extensive experience to First Hydrogen, previously as program manager for the development of the Airbus A220 (C-Series) at Bombardier Aéronautique and as chief engineer at Novabus (a division of Volvo Group). Mr. Gagnon will work closely with Head of Automotive, Steve Gill and his team.
MBZ Tests Hydrogen
Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks has tested a Unimog implement carrier prototype with a hydrogen combustion engine in real operation. The Unimog is a test vehicle that is used to research the conditions under which hydrogen combustion can be implemented as a supplement to battery-electric and fuel-cell-based drives. On a decommissioned section of the highway between Bayreuth and Bamberg, engineers collected measurement data when mowing the verge, accelerating and refueling at a public gas station. The data will be used for further vehicle development. Employees from Autobahn GmbH accompanied the tests. Practical testing at low temperatures and in varied topography is an important step in the ongoing “WaVe” development project, in which 18 partners are working together on the hydrogen combustion engine drive concept.
Franziska Cusumano, Head of Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks and Custom Tailored Trucks: “We are very happy with the current development status of the test vehicle. After a good two-year project term, we are already in practical testing with the first operational Unimog prototype featuring hydrogen combustion engine. The tests with Autobahn GmbH staff in Upper Franconia are particularly valuable for us because here we can collect important feedback from practical application for the further development work.”
The Mercedes-Benz Unimog test vehicle is based on the Unimog U 430 implement carrier. A specially converted natural gas engine with tank, safety and monitoring systems as well as measurement technology is installed for the alternative hydrogen technology drive. Hydrogen combustion in the engine compartment produces water, which is discharged as steam via the exhaust system. The wheelbase and platform length are dimensioned so that the hydrogen tanks can be installed behind the cab. The four TÜV-certified, 700-bar high-pressure tanks hold a total of around 14 kilograms of gaseous hydrogen. They are combined into two double tanks, each of which is operated independently of each other with a tank control unit. In a next development stage, the engineers aim to increase the volume to be able to cover a regular working day. The engine delivers around 290 hp/1000 Nm and is noticeably quieter than its diesel equivalent. The prototype was equipped with a front mower featuring two mowing heads in order to gain further insights in work mode.
The development of the test vehicle with a hydrogen combustion engine is taking place within the framework of the publicly funded “WaVe” project[1]. The project, funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, is being jointly implemented by 18 partners from industry and science and started in July 2021. The objective of the WaVe project is to examine the extent to which a conventional diesel engine as a multi-energy distributor for the traction drive and all power take-offs can be substituted by a hydrogen-powered combustion engine.
Daimler Truck’s focus is on battery-electric drives and hydrogen-powered fuel cells. In addition to these two technologies, hydrogen combustion can be another option for the decarbonization of Daimler Truck’s drivetrain portfolio. Also, initial results from the WaVe project show that the hydrogen combustion engine can be a sensible, complementary solution for special applications.
Especially for the Unimog, this variant could prove to be a viable mode of propulsion for the future because of the limited installation space and the high performance required for operation involved with this type of vehicle. After the first successful practical application, the development team is looking forward to a remaining project duration of six months to make further adjustments and refinements. Dr. Günter Pitz, Head of Powertrain Development at Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks: “The hydrogen combustion drive concept can serve as a blueprint for power-intensive applications in the specialty vehicle sector. Hydrogen combustion can make it possible to drive and work with very low emissions on construction sites, in municipal or agricultural sectors. To reach series maturity for such vehicles, reliable funding is and will be required.”
[1] Wa and Ve are the two initial letters of the German words for hydrogen, “Wasserstoff” and combustion, “Verbrennung”.