Ford, in partnership with Canadian fuel cell specialist Ballard Power Systems, has announced the development of a heavy fuel cell truck prototype for the European Union (EU) project ZEFES (Zero Emission Freight EcoSystem). The project aims to accelerate the advancement of long-range heavy-duty battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in the commercial trucking sector.
The prototype will see the transformation of Ford Otosan’s 44-tonne F-MAX, an existing model in the joint venture’s lineup, into a fuel cell-powered truck. The conversion will involve equipping the F-MAX with two Ballard FCmove-XD modules, each boasting a power output of 120 kW. Initially, the F-MAX will be equipped with a single module for demonstration purposes, with further developments planned for the future.
The converted fuel cell-powered F-MAX is scheduled to be assembled in Turkey and will take to the roads in 2025 for initial demonstrations as part of the EU’s ambitious project. The ZEFES initiative aims to evaluate the feasibility and performance of long-haul fuel cell and battery electric trucks in real-world scenarios. Four major truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) – Ford Otosan, Renault Trucks, Scania, and Volvo Trucks – are collaborating with suppliers, logistics operators, and research partners to drive progress in the heavy-duty commercial transportation sector.
Emrah Duman, the vice president of Ford Trucks, expressed enthusiasm for the milestone development: “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.”
Ballard Power Systems is set to provide the fuel cell technology required for the project. In addition to the collaboration with Ford, Ballard’s FC modules will also be integrated into the Quantron QHM FCEV heavy truck, further showcasing the potential of fuel cell technology in the commercial vehicle industry.
David Mucciacciaro, Chief Commercial Officer at Ballard, highlighted the significance of the partnership with Ford Trucks: “Ford Trucks is an important ‘platform’ win for Ballard and a key partner for our high growth potential truck vertical. We are excited by their ambition towards scaled deployments of F-MAX fuel cell trucks. Our FCmove-XD is an outstanding match for the range, refueling, payload, and packaging requirements of long-haul tractor customers.”
The EU’s ZEFES project was launched earlier this year and is expected to span 3.5 years. As part of the project, a total of nine different vehicle concepts, including both fuel cell-powered and battery-electric vehicles, are projected to cover over 1 million kilometers on EU routes during real-world operational use by 2025. This ambitious initiative seeks to shape the future of zero-emission heavy-duty freight transportation, promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship in the trucking industry.
