Two non-polluting trucks powered by zero-emission plug-in electric/hydrogen fuel cells will soon hit the road in the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. The agreement with El Segundo-based Vision Motor Corp. puts one big-rig truck and one terminal tractor to work for 18 months. They will be tested under conditions typical for these short-haul vehicles. Each port has agreed to provide $212,500 from their Technology Advancement Program funds toward the cost of the $1 million project.

It just looks like a Freightliner. Vision Motor Corp says it’s really the world's 1st "green" Class 8 Truck. The company says this Tyrano makes no noise despite a 400 to 536-hp (3,200 lb-ft) output. It weighs about 80,000 lbs (GVW), gets electric power from a hydrogen fuel cell, and stores 20 to 40 kg of gaseous hydrogen. It has a standard drayage range of 200 miles over an 8-hr shift. Extended range: 400 miles over 8 hour shift. Torque is electronically limited to the maximum rating for the transmission.

Both vehicles are electric trucks with batteries charged constantly by on board hydrogen fuel cells. The cells work best in a constant on condition. The latter generates electricity by combining hydrogen with oxygen without combustion.

The on-road heavy-duty truck will be operated by a local firm that serves both ports.

The ports’ Technology Advancement Program encourages commercialization of clean goods-movement vehicles and equipment. Each port has budgeted $1.5 million annually for the TAP since 2007. Recently, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency bestowed the 2010 Clean Air Technologies Award to the ports for the TAP program.

Vision Industries Corp.
www.visionmotorcorp.com