ICEBreaker Hydrogen Fuel Cell HGV
HGV 2030-ready
In 2024, ICEBreaker will deliver a zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell HGV powertrain that offers major improvements in payload and cost of ownership.
For the first time, this offers the pathway to reach cost parity with diesel trucks in the early 2030s.
For fleet operators, ICEBreaker will provide a cost-effective route to meet the EU’s decarbonisation regulations that take effect from 2030.
And for OEMs, the fundamental redesign of the FCEV architecture enables the proven layout and form factor of the truck to be preserved, providing design and manufacturing continuity in the switch to zero-emission propulsion.
Hydrogen fuel cell drivetrains redefined
ICEBreaker is redefining the architecture of hydrogen-powered heavy goods drivetrains with
a compact 200 kilowatt direct water injection fuel cell and heat exchanger that packages within existing truck parameters.
Alongside the fuel cell is a single DC-to-DC converter and a small, powerful and intelligently-operated 16kWh battery pack from Viritech.
In contrast to conventional heavy-duty FCEV solutions that use fuel cells as range extenders, the ICEBreaker approach uses a dynamic energy system in which the fuel cell is the ‘prime mover’ operating with a small battery pack to support all of the transient and cruise permutations in a typical HGV duty cycle.
Road-ready in 2024
By employing a digital twin during the design process, the ICEBreaker proof of concept vehicle that will be delivered in 2024 will not only be available for OEMs and operators to test, but will also be underwritten with a fully-modelled and optimised total cost of ownership undertaken by HORIBA MIRA.
ICEBreaker’s initial focus is on the HGV sector, but the unique architecture can also power those 3.5t LCVs whose payload and range are beyond the capacity of a BEV.
ICEBreaker aims to make hydrogen fuel cell technology
fit for purpose for heavy goods vehicles. By re-engineering the way FCEV powertrains work, the project will deliver a next-generation hydrogen HGV truck that delivers a total cost of ownership at parity with diesel. ICEBreaker partners are Viritech, HORIBA MIRA and Intelligent Energy, supported by funding from the Advanced Propulsion Centre.
