Toyota will produce fuel cell modules in the United States in 2023

Toyota North America said it would start producing large-scale "integrated dual fuel cell modules" at its Georgetown (Georgetown) assembly plant in Kentucky in 2023, which will power Toyota's eight-class semitrailer tractor, according to foreign media reports. The Kentucky plant also produces Toyota Camry (Camry) and Lexus ES 350 models.

Toyota has been experimenting with hydrogen fuel cells for decades, including the launch of the Mirai hydrogen-powered sedan in 2014. The company has also been operating a test fleet of hydrogen-powered trucks in (Long Beach), long Beach, California. It is worth mentioning that although hydrogen-powered vehicles do not produce emissions in the process of use, hydrogen does produce emissions in the process of being made into fuel.

A spokesman for the company said that the shape of the fuel cell module is basically the same as the space of the heavy diesel engine of the class 8 semi-trailer. David Rosier, Toyota's head of power systems in Kentucky, said in a statement that the modules can tow about 40 tons of cargo 300 miles away and have the advantages of "excellent performance, quiet operation and zero emissions."

Toyota did not say whether any customers had decided to buy its fuel cell modules, but the company said in a statement that the modules "will give further attention to Toyota's electrification strategy. It allows truck manufacturers, with Toyota's technical support, to integrate zero-emission fuel cell electric technology into existing platforms."

Toyota said it would display fuel cell modules at the 2021 Advanced Clean Transport (ACT) Expo in long Beach next week. The company will also show off a prototype truck powered by Toyota's fuel cell kit.