FCTRAC hydrogen concept tractor unveiled in Austria

A pioneering hydrogen fuel cell concept tractor, powered by Ballard, was publicly unveiled in Austria in July 2024. Developed in collaboration between TU Wien and CNH and integrated with a Ballard fuel cell, the zero-emission vehicle is based on a STEYR^® 4140 Expert CVT tractor – incorporating fuel cell and electrical systems, high-voltage battery, and power output that matches its diesel equivalent.

The zero-emission concept tractor is powered by Ballard's FCmove-HD+ 100kW fuel cell engine, which provides a flexible solution for a range of heavy-duty applications including buses, trucks and off-road vehicles across the globe. The module offers a durable, compact and easy installation solution for system integrators and vehicle OEMs - with proven reliability, simplified integration, and exceptional fuel cell stack lifetime which provides more than 25,000 hours of operation.

Driving the project is the ambition of end-to-end sustainability, via a BioH2Module engineered to complement the decarbonized tractor.

The module produces hydrogen from biogenic raw materials and residues – equating to approximately 3.5 liters of diesel. Like other hydrogen-powered heavy-duty vehicles, the unit emits only water vapor, and the tractor meets the demanding requirements of a full agricultural shift, with no compromise in power or performance when compared to vehicles powered by fossil fuels.

The STEYR^® FCTRAC attracted considerable attention recently at the Schönbrunn Palace venue in Vienna at the Austrian State Prize for Technology awards, for which it was nominated in the ‘Mobility Technologies' category, a section which honors ground-breaking Austrian technical innovations. The category focuses on the research and development of sustainable, climate-neutral and intelligent mobility technologies.

"This innovative hydrogen fuel cell-powered STEYR^® concept tractor not only embodies the sustainable future our industry strives for, but also solidifies CNH’s position as a leader in alternative fuel innovations. As proud ambassadors of the zero-emission future we aim to achieve in our industry, we are looking forward to further work with our collaborative partners on this very exciting project."

Marco Lombardi Head of Commercial Marketing, Case IH & Steyr

The FCTRAC was developed as part of a national research project funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG) and led by the Institute of Powertrains and Automotive Technology (IFA) at TU Wien.