Toyota lends its expertise in hydrogen fuel cell tech to Mercedes-Benz buses
Hans · May 5, 2022 10:06 AM
0
0
Toyota Motor Europe (TME) announced earlier this week that it will supply fuel cell modules to Daimler Buses’ latest generation Mercedes-Benz eCitaro Range Extender.
The ‘Range Extender’ here refers to the use of batteries alongside fuel cells. Typical fuel cell electric vehicles like the Toyota Mirai only have a small 1.2 kWh battery, just slightly bigger than a regular hybrid vehicle. This is because the fuel cells are continuously generating electricity on the move so there is very little need for large batteries.
The eCitaro Range Extender however uses very large capacity NMC 3 batteries (third-generation nickel-manganese-cobalt batteries, up to 588 kWh for the solo bus and 686 kWh for the articulated bus.
When combined with 60 kW fuel cells, Toyota says this battery-fuel cell range extender setup eliminates the need for intermediate charging on-the-go (by the fuel cells).
Unlike regular fuel cell electric vehicles, this range extender bus needs to be charged up and fueled up (with hydrogen)
The fully electric hydrogen fuel cell-powered Mercedes-Benz bus will have a range of around 400 km, while longer articulated versions can travel up to 350 km.
The eCitaro will use Toyota’s TFCM2-F-60 is a second generation flat type module that produces 60kW of power and can be easily integrated into the roof of the bus, alongside the battery and hydrogen tanks.
Fuel cell hardware are installed on the roof
Matt Harrison, Toyota Motor Europe President and CEO, said: “We are delighted to work with Daimler Buses and are pleased to see that our hydrogen powertrain sales activities in Europe continue to grow. Toyota is committed to achieving carbon neutrality and we believe hydrogen is one of the key building blocks of a future decarbonised society.”
Over 15 years of experience in automotive, from product planning, to market research, to print and digital media. Garages a 6-cylinder manual RWD but buses to work.
