China FAW released its first liquid hydrogen heavy-duty truck

China FAW Group, often referred to as First Auto Group, unveiled its inaugural model of a liquid hydrogen heavy-duty truck on November 8th at the China Commercial Vehicle Show in Wuhan, China. The newly released truck, powered by a 300kW hydrogen fuel cell, boasts an impressive operational range of up to 1,200 kilometers. The vehicle demonstrates an energy efficiency of 7kg per 100 kilometers.

Established in 1953 and headquartered in Changchun, Jilin province, China FAW Group stands as the first and largest automotive manufacturer in China. In 2021, the company achieved significant milestones, delivering 3.5 million vehicles to customers and generating a group sales revenue of RMB 705.7 billion yuan. Recognizing its stature, the group secured the 66th position on the 2021 Fortune Global 500 list.

The move towards vehicles utilizing liquid hydrogen marks a significant trend in China's commercial vehicle sector. Notably, several major manufacturers, including Great Wall Motor, FAW, and Foton Auto, have introduced their own models of liquid hydrogen heavy-duty trucks since 2022.

Great Wall Commercial Vehicles unveiled its liquid hydrogen heavy-duty truck on April 10, featuring the "Jupiter" vehicle-mounted liquid hydrogen storage system with an 80kg capacity and a cruising range exceeding 1,000 kilometers. Currently undergoing road tests, this model signals Great Wall's commitment to advancing in the liquid hydrogen vehicle space.

In 2022, Foton Auto introduced the 49T Auman Smart Blue FCEV liquid hydrogen heavy-duty truck, boasting an 80kg hydrogen storage capacity and a driving range exceeding 1,000 kilometers.

Despite these advancements, the commercial or demonstration operations of liquid hydrogen heavy-duty trucks in China have not yet commenced. Several challenges, particularly related to the essential liquid hydrogen infrastructure, need to be addressed before widespread adoption.

Two primary technical challenges revolve around the production and storage of liquid hydrogen. The production process involves cooling hydrogen to -253°C and then liquefying it, requiring extremely low-temperature conditions and substantial energy consumption. Storage demands ultra-low-temperature special containers, with imperfect storage filling and insulation risking hydrogen evaporation loss. Presently, all hydrogen infrastructures in China are designed for processing gaseous hydrogen, not liquid hydrogen.

To gauge when small-scale commercial applications of liquid hydrogen heavy-duty trucks might begin in China, attention should be focused on investments in key parts' innovation and production, as well as the development of relevant infrastructure. The progression in overcoming these hurdles will likely determine the timing of the widespread adoption of liquid hydrogen heavy-duty trucks in China.