As previously reported, Toyota Tsusho has already trialled a converted fuel cell battery yard tractor (called UNO) at Fenix Marine Services in the Port of Los Angeles, although it is not known whether Fenix is in the frame for the new development. The UNO terminal tractor was a Kalmar Ottawa machine, although Kalmar was not involved in the conversion, which is an extension of Toyota Tsusho’s fuel cell electric Class 8 heavy-duty truck development.

Further, as reported in depth at the start of this year, Toyota Tsusho has grants from NEDO to develop fuel cell tractors.

As Kalmar reports, the Advanced Clean Truck requirement, adopted by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) in 2020, requires truck manufacturers to shift away from fossil fuels to ZE technology. Beginning in 2024, manufacturers must increase their ZE truck sales to between 30 and 50 percent by 2030 and between 40 and 75 percent by 2035.

Ricardo plc, headquartered in the UK, is responsible for the design, integration and assembly of the fuel cells into the Kalmar Ottawa platform. Compared to battery-powered solutions, fuel cell powered terminal tractors will offer Kalmar customers extended operational uptime and reduce the need for new investments in electrical grid infrastructure.

Chris Dvorak, Director of Engineering, Kalmar, said: “We are applying the learnings we have gained from our battery-electric platform to implement a modular fuel cell platform that will help customers meet increasingly strict emissions targets. This is in line with our terminal tractor roadmap and supports Cargotec’s 1.5°C climate ambition. As part of this effort, we are partnering with leaders in the fuel cell space to demonstrate the feasibility of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies for terminal tractor applications.”

Adrian Schaffer, President of Emerging Mobility, Ricardo, said: “We have worked alongside Kalmar and Toyota Tsusho America, Inc to undertake the initial stages of this exciting project. Applying our experience and design expertise in fuel cell systems and integration, we have integrated a commercially available fuel cell system that will deliver cleaner and more efficient propulsion for the Kalmar terminal tractor chassis. This project is the latest example of Ricardo supporting customers to decarbonise transportation, and we are very much looking forward to progressing to the next stage.” 

Koji Nakagawa, Vice President, Toyota Tsusho America, Inc, said: “We are delighted that Kalmar has selected fuel cell technology for integration into its terminal tractor platform. We believe that zero-emission fuel cell technology offers a viable pathway forward for operators in the logistics space to achieve their emission-reduction targets.”

Separately, the Port of Los Angeles has awarded a total of US$6M to two LA-licensed trucking companies and their truck manufacturer partners to speed up the transition to ZE drayage trucks. The grants will defray the cost of putting 22 pre-production emissions-free models in port service during 2023.

“Developing and deploying zero-emission trucks are critical to the health of residents who live and work around the ports,” said 15th District Los Angeles City Councilmember Tim McOsker. “These grants are one step in a comprehensive strategy toward a clean supply chain. I look forward to partnering with the port as we combat climate change.”

“This is just one of the incentives we are offering to accelerate zero-emission technology and drive stakeholder investment,” said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We have a long way to go but with our private and public partners, we can reduce greenhouse gases and meet our 2035 goal of transitioning the entire fleet serving our port complex to zero-emission trucks.” 

Gardena-based MLI Leasing and El Segundo-based Performance Team, will receive US$3M – the maximum funding per trucking company available under the port’s Zero Emission Truck Pilot Program. MLI is working with Peterbilt and investing more than US$3.4M to produce and deploy 12 ZE trucks. Performance Team is working with Volvo and investing more than US$5.6M to produce and deploy 10 ZE trucks.

All 22 will be battery-electric models that will be on the road within the coming year. Each vehicle must make at least 50 drayage trips annually to Port of Los Angeles terminals.

The awards, approved by the Los Angeles Harbor Commission last week, represent the first distribution of Clean Truck Fund (CTF) dollars by the Port of Los Angeles since 1 April, when the San Pedro Bay ports began collecting US$10 for every loaded TEU moving through the port by truck. The port expects to raise US$45M within the first 12 months and each subsequent year based on the current rate.