As part of Ford Trucks' - the global brand of Ford Otosan - plans to develop a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) F-MAX, the company has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Ballard Power Systems to supply a fuel cell system to develop and deliver a hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle prototype. The partnership includes an initial purchase order for two FCmove®-XD 120kW fuel cell engines that are planned to be delivered by Ballard to Ford Trucks in 2023.
Ballard's FCmove®-XD fuel cell engines will be integrated into Ford Trucks’ F-MAX 44-ton long-haul tractor truck, with the OEM planning to build and assemble the F-MAX in Turkey. Ford Trucks also aims to commence European Ten-T corridor demonstrations in 2025 as part of the European Union's Horizon Europe Zero Emission Freight EcoSystem (ZEFES) project goals.
As per the LOI, upon the successful completion of the development program and subject to certain other conditions, Ballard may be named as the preferred supplier for the serial production of the fuel cell-powered F-MAX.
In the ZEFES project, four truck OEMs, two trailer OEMs, suppliers, logistic operators, and research partners will work together towards the overall goal of accelerating the integration of zero-emission vehicles for long distance heavy transport. This work plans to focus on efficiency improvements, mass production capabilities, and demonstrating the use of the technologies in daily operations.
In 2025, nine different vehicle concepts (four FCEVs and five battery electric vehicles) are expected to run over 1 million kilometers across EU corridors in real-world daily operations, guided and validated by a digital platform (to be developed within the project). This project will prove a significant step forward for zero-emission vehicle adoption in the freight transport ecosystem. Vehicles are expected to carry over 40 tons for distances up to 750km, averaging 500km in daily operation.
Emrah Duman, vice president, Ford Trucks, said: “At Ford Trucks, we invest in alternative technologies that will define the automobile industry's future in accordance with our sustainability aims. Electrification, followed by hydrogen technology, is one of our top priorities. Our first Fuel Cell Electric-powered Vehicle F-MAX, which we will develop as part of the ZEFES project, will be a significant milestone. We are thrilled to be working with Ballard on this critical project. This long-term relationship will generate enormous value in the future. We have a wide range of promising technological talents and capabilities, and our work is progressing quickly and successfully. As Ford Trucks, we will continue to pioneer future sustainable transportation technologies with R&D investments."
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