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Toyota, Kenworth reveal fuel-cell semi for short-haul logistics

Toyota, Kenworth reveal fuel-cell semi for short-haul logistics

The new Project Portal trucks offer more than 300 miles of range on a single tank of hydrogen.

Toyota and Kenworth have revealed a new hydrogen-powered semi, referred to as a fuel cell electric truck (FCET).

With an improved range of more than 300 miles per tank, hydrogen provides far shorter range than the thousands of miles that a traditional semi can drive from a few hundred gallons of diesel. The FCET is consequently focused on short-haul 'drayage' logistics, starting with the Port of Los Angeles.

The California Air Resources Board spent $41 million on the project, drawing from its cap-and-trade funds. The initiative is expected to reduce emissions by over 500 tons of greenhouse gas, approximately equal to the typical emissions from a fleet of just 20 consumer cars over the course of five years.

Hydrogen has continued to receive significant attention as an alternative fuel for transportation, though it is becoming increasingly clear that fuel-cell tech is not living up to Toyota and other automakers' growth expectations. Pure battery-powered EVs represent the biggest threat, offering similar range and an established charging infrastructure that dwarfs the handful of hydrogen refueling sites located in a few California cities.