Hexagon Purus has struck a deal with Ford Trucks to provide a complete hydrogen fuel storage system for the development of a hydrogen-powered truck.
The F-Max Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV) is part of Horizon Europe ZEFES (Zero Emission Freight Ecosystem), a zero-emission logistics deployment project in which Ford Trucks is involved with a pioneering vision for future transportation solutions.
As a partner in ZEFES, a European project specifically targeting the decarbonisation of long-haul heavy trucks in Europe, Ford Trucks will develop and deliver a heavy-duty fuel cell electric prototype, which will operate as part of a larger fleet. Zero-emission trucks that collect data from real-world operations.
The F-Max FCEV will be Ford Trucks’ first fuel cell vehicle, developed and manufactured in Turkey, and will begin European Ten-T corridor demonstrations in 2025 as part of the ZEFES project objectives.
“We are focusing our investment, research, development and innovation efforts in line with our global electrification strategy to be a leading player in the decarbonization transformation taking place in the automotive industry,” said Imrah Doman, vice president of Ford Trucks.
“We are very pleased to have the support of Hexagon Purus as an experienced partner in our development plan for a heavy duty fuel cell electric truck as part of the ZEFES project.”
“We are using our in-depth knowledge of lightweight, reliable and safe hydrogen storage technology to help Ford Trucks pave the way for long-range fuel cell electric heavy-duty trucks in Europe,” added Michael Kleczynski, European Vice President of Hexagon Purus.
“We are excited to have been selected by Ford Trucks to support their development plan as part of the ZEFES project.”
As part of Horizon Europe, the EU’s main funding program for research and innovation to address global challenges, the ZEFES project specifically aims to address the decarbonisation of long-distance heavy freight across Europe. The project will deploy a total of nine different configurations of long-haul trucks, divided into six battery-electric trucks and three fuel-cell electric trucks.
The nine trucks will operate for 15 months and collect up to 1 million kilometers of driving data from real-world operations.
With 40 partners from 14 countries and a total investment program of €35.5 million (£30 million), the ZEFES project will bring together the road transport value chain to move the transport sector one step closer to the EU Green Deal targets on emissions.
