New Way enters hydrogen fuel cell alliance

New Way Trucks, Scranton, Iowa, has entered into a joint development agreement (JDA) with Hyzon Motors Inc. to develop a hydrogen fuel cell-powered refuse collection vehicle for the North American market.

Hyzon, a Rochester, New York-based hydrogen fuel cell technology developer and global supplier of zero-emission, heavy-duty fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs), says the JDA is being designed to bring trials of hydrogen fuel cell waste and recycling collection trucks in the first half of this year.

“Zero emission hydrogen fuel cell technology is the key to reducing emissions from many hard-to-abate industries, including refuse collection,” Hyzon CEO Parker Meeks says. “The operational capabilities of our Australian fuel cell refuse collection truck trial helped demonstrate that hydrogen fuel cell technology is a viable replacement for traditional diesel engines when it comes to heavy industry, and overcomes some of the inherent challenges identified with other zero emission technologies such as range anxiety, severe operating temperatures and payload limitations.”

Hyzon will be responsible for the supply and integration of its fuel cell technology and integrated powertrain while New Way will be responsible for the supply and integration of the prototype Sidewinder XTR automated side-load refuse body, “thereby combining both companies’ expertise to develop a sustainable refuse collection solution.”

“New Way has a successful history of deploying alternative powertrain refuse equipment across North America,” says Don Ross, chief sales officer at New Way. “Partnering with Hyzon to bring the continent’s first Class 8 FCEV refuse collection vehicle to life is a significant step in helping our customers meet their sustainability and decarbonization objectives.”

According to Hyzon, it developed and assembled a hydrogen fuel cell refuse truck that began operations last October in Australia. That FCEV is operated by Remondis Australia, the Australian business unit of a Germany-based environmental services company.

In North America, Hyzon estimates about 120,000 refuse trucks are currently operating, consuming about 950 million gallons of diesel fuel annually. “The integration of FCEVs into refuse collection fleets in North America provides an opportunity to help decarbonize the industry and reduce noise pollution from diesel trucks,” the company says.

Initial customer trials for the JDA’s first North American prototype truck are planned for the first half of 2024 with a mix of public and private refuse fleets.

Hyzon says it is targeting initial commercial vehicle deliveries in 2025 should the trials be satisfactory. The trucks are expected to have a 125-mile driving range and the ability to undertake 1,200 refuse cart lifts per route, Hyzon says, basing those figures in part on the Australian Remondis trial.

“We look forward to learning how the Hyzon/New Way unit performs on route,” says Eric Evans, chief product officer at New Way. “New Way distributors and key customers are excited about the prospect of alternative powertrain options that leverage the learnings of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) without performance compromises while aligning with emerging hydrogen technology and infrastructure investment.”