Dongfeng Motor launches self-developed 400kW fuel cell stack

On January 15, Dongfeng Motor announced the launch of its in-house developed 400kW hydrogen fuel cell stack. The unveiling marks a significant milestone in the automaker’s journey to advance R&D and applications of hydrogen energy technology, showcasing the company’s growing expertise in both R&D and commercialization.

Named “Dongfeng Hydrogen Core”, the newly launched 400kW fuel cell stack is a tailor-made solution for 49-tonne heavy-duty trucks. It boasts multiple groundbreaking features, including a single stack power output exceeding 400kW, low-temperature cold-start capability at -40°C, high power density, efficiency, durability, and strong adaptability to diverse environments. According to Dongfeng Motor, the innovation stems from advancements across six areas: foundational materials, flow field design, packaging and molding processes, modular integration, health monitoring, and validation testing.

The “Dongfeng Hydrogen Boat” power platform using this stack was applied in the heavy-duty truck field first. Beyond heavy-duty trucks, the technology has potential for deployment in ships, mining trucks, and locomotives, establishing Dongfeng Motor as a leader in scenario-based hydrogen operations.

At the ceremony, Dongfeng Motor’s R&D headquarters handed over the “Dongfeng Hydrogen Core” models to Dongfeng Trucks, Dongfeng Automobile Co., Ltd., and Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, further helping Dongfeng Motor accelerate the transition from R&D to commercialization of fuel cell vehicles.

Additionally, Dongfeng Motor’s R&D headquarters, Dongfeng Liuzhou Motor, Dongfeng Logistics, and Bashu Logistics Group signed a four-party cooperation agreement to create new hydrogen fuel cell vehicle demonstration scenarios.

Dongfeng Motor has already launched the “Dongfeng Hydrogen Boat” hydrogen power brand, which includes the “Dongfeng Hydrogen Origin” fuel cell system and the “Dongfeng Hydrogen Core” fuel cell stack. The product lineup covers 70kW, 150kW, and 350kW hydrogen platforms designed for passenger and commercial vehicles, with applications in transportation, logistics, and sanitation. To date, vehicles powered by Dongfeng’s hydrogen technology have logged over 500,000 kilometers in demonstration operations.