Kenworth Offers Sneak Peek at Zero-Emissions Transport Truck
Kenworth’s Zero Emissions Cargo Transport heavy-duty truck can haul 80,000 lb at 30-50 mph a distance of 30-50 miles; an ideal setup for port drayage service. Photo: Jim Park
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MT. VERNON, WASH. – Kenworth has removed the black shroud from its latest green initiative, the Zero Emissions Cargo Transport (ZECT). The heavy-duty truck is a hydrogen fuel cell powered battery-electric vehicle, capable at this point of about 100 miles of travel fully loaded. Kenworth plans to increase that in the future with the addition of greater hydrogen storage capacity.
The truck produces no emissions other than a small column of steam when the hydrogen fuel cell stack is charging the batteries. It makes no noise other than the cooling fans and the air compressor. It’s truly a vehicle that will fit comfortably into any urban environment, especially those areas where air quality is a concern. This truck will be deployed at a Los Angeles-based port drayage company, Total Transportation Services Inc. (TTSI) at the end of March, working at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
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The Ballard fuel cell stack is located under the hood, in a space formerly occupied by the diesel engine. Photo: Jim Park
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The truck was first shown at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas in January. It has been in the works for just a few months and was actually run for the first time in December. Kenworth took the unusual step of inviting the trade media to see and drive the truck even though it is very much in the prototype stage. There were a few hiccups during the day’s ride and drives, but as Kenworth’s research and development manager, Brian Lindgren, reminded reporters, it’s a prototype; it’s still really early in the development process.
“We have another four to six …Read the rest of this story
