General Dynamics outfits US Army truck with fuel cell power unit

Manufacturing News, Source : TheManufacturer.com
Published : 19 Nov 2002 17:22

General Dynamics C4 Systems has delivered the first-ever fuel cell-based auxiliary power unit to SunLine Transit Agency for installation in the 21st century truck.

The 21st century truck program is a government and industry collaborative effort focused on developing technologies to significantly decrease the fuel use and emissions of commercial trucks and buses. The US Army, the US Department of Energy and Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the US trucking industry are also participating in the 21st century truck program.

“The military has become an early adopter of the technology because of the enormous potential it holds for improving the quality of its mobile power systems,” said Chris Marzilli, VP and general manager of commercial hardware systems for General Dynamics C4 Systems, a division of General Dynamics. “The tactical advantages of stealth and agility, along with the prospect of logistical savings in reliability and fuel efficiency, make this technology directly relevant to the DoD’s transformation objectives.”

According the US Department of Energy, Class 8 trucks currently consume 68% of all commercial truck fuel used. The five kilowatt power unit will act as a battery charger for the Class 8 truck to electrify the air conditioning and other utilities when it is parked, thereby drastically reducing emissions and the expense of running the vehicle’s electrical power.

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