In a statement released June 30, Daimler announced it will be investing “a very substantial sum” in achieving a CO2-neutral future for the transportation sector. Hydrogen fuel cell production facilities are currently in development, with an eye toward mass production of fuel cells and their component parts.
Some of the hurdles Daimler is working to overcome are the needs for highly-filtered air and stable ambient temperature and humidity. The materials and components used in fuel cell production do not allow for an easy transfer in process from conventional engine manufacturing.
While Daimler has a deep knowledge base itself, it is also drawing on the expertise of other major players in the industry. In April, Daimler and Volvo took another step toward establishing a joint venture for fuel cell development and marketing in the on-highway market. Their goal is to have long-haul solutions to market after 2025.
On-highway is not the only avenue by which Daimler is seeking to enter the fuel cell market. They have also announced a pending partnership with Rolls-Royce, which they seek to make official by the end of the year. Daimler plans to leverage the fuel cell systems from their joint venture with Volvo to create emergency power generators with Rolls-Royce’s MTU for data centers, an already fast-growing market that may soon accelerate further as the cloud becomes decentralized.
Source: The Trucker Read The Article
PSR Analysis: A person could be forgiven for thinking that Tesla and Nikola were the only major players in the on-highway alternative power market. My internet alerts made sure I was aware, and then made sure again and again, that Nikola’s fuel cell byproduct will be drinkable water, chilled before it is served to you while you drive.
But the old OEMs are not letting the fuel revolution pass them by, and they are creating some powerhouse joint ventures to make sure that they keep up with the newer entrants.
It should be clear by now that while the goal for many governments and manufacturers is carbon neutrality by 2050, the developments in technology and equipment to get there are happening now.
Power Systems Research’s OE Link™ Production database has both historical data and forecasts for on-highway, down to the model-variant level, that are meticulously researched and maintained by our global team of analysts.
The COVID-19 pandemic has many feeling like they just need to stand still and get through this, but the market leaders are still moving, and anyone that lets a year go by because of the pandemic is going to find themselves substantially behind in a very different world when we come out of this. Let us work with you to identify what you need to stay relevant. PSR
Tyler Wiegert Is Project Manager and Power Systems Analyst
