Hydrogen trucks could reduce carbon emissions by thousands of tons per year. A prototype rescue truck from the U.S. Department of Energy has set a new world record, showing the feasibility of such a clean fuel transporter. The prototype truck, called the H2Rescue Truck, was built by clean energy company Cummins Accelera in partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense and Energy (DOE) Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office.
During the record-breaking run, the truck traveled 1,806 miles (2,906 kilometers) on just one tank filled with 175 kilograms (386 pounds) of hydrogen. Guinness World Records adjudicators were on hand to ensure the truck's hydrogen tanks were sealed before driving off.
"The truck, powered by a Cummins Accelera fuel cell engine and a 250-kilowatt traction motor, carried 175 kilograms of hydrogen, consumed 168 kilograms [370 pounds] of hydrogen, traveled on public roads at 50 to 55 mph [80 to 89 kph] during rush hour, and operated in temperatures of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit [16ºC to 27ºC]," the Department of Energy said in a statement.
During the journey, the truck emits only water in its exhaust, as is the case with all hydrogen-powered cars and trucks. According to the Department of Energy, it reduces carbon dioxide emissions by 664 pounds (301 kilograms), which is equivalent to the amount released by a similarly sized gasoline truck traveling the same distance.
H2Rescue trucks are designed to be dispatched to disaster zones and other areas requiring emergency response. It can divert 25 kilowatts of power from the fuel cell to power emergency operations for 72 hours without the need for refueling. That's enough to power 2,025 FEMA trailers without the noise and fumes of a traditional gasoline generator.
The vehicle, which weighs about 33,000 pounds (14,969 kilograms), can also deliver supplies to areas in need, and the exhaust fumes can produce about a gallon (3.8 liters) of water per hour—not much help in disaster areas, but definitely better than emitting polluting smoke.
The Department of Energy says replacing traditional emergency response vehicles with H2Rescue trucks will save approximately 1,825 gallons (6,908 liters) of gasoline and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 metric tons (2.8 tons) per year.
You can get a closer look at the H2Rescue truck in the video below from Accelera.