Hexagon Purus, Hino signs supply agreement; H3 Dynamics completes tests

Hexagon Purus has signed a long-term binding letter of intent (LOI) with Hino Motors Manufacturing US Inc to provide battery packs for multiple Hino truck platforms with serial production planned from 2024.

Hino’s “Project Z” Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) program is already in development, where Hexagon Purus will continue the project’s development phase in 2022, with customer demonstrations in 2023 and serial production scheduled for 2024. Serial production will cover multiple platforms, including Hino’s Class 6, 7 and 8 commercial trucks.

The agreement is in addition to the previously announced nomination of Hexagon Purus by a major commercial truck OEM for the supply of battery packs. For Hexagon Purus, these two agreements are around the value of between US$ 1.8 billion and US$ 2.2 billion.

The agreement includes aftermarket support and service provided by Hexagon Purus. Initial production will be out of Hexagon Purus’ new facility in Kelowna, Canada, which is currently under construction and will be completed in Q3 2022.

Todd Sloan, EVP Systems, Hexagon Purus, said, “The mass adoption of zero-emission battery (BEV) and fuel cell (FCEV) electric trucks among fleets will be key to decarbonising the sector.”

Glenn Ellis – Senior VP at Hino Trucks, added, “Project Z’s focus is on providing sustainable next-generation commercial mobility that delivers a 90% reduction in CO2 emissions in commercial trucks. This includes shifting to electrification with battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).”

H3 Dynamics completes hydrogen aircraft propulsor Nacelle

H3 Dynamics has successfully completed the world’s first fully-integrated hydrogen-electric propulsion aircraft nacelle, the core enabling power solution for future hydrogen aircraft designs propulsion.

Instead of a single centralised hydrogen fuel cell system, H3 Dynamics distributes multiple integrated powertrains incorporating batteries, fuel cells, hydrogen storage, and smaller electric motors across the wings. This means the size of each fuel cell system, hybrid battery pack, and heat management challenges all become smaller, making systems more manageable and safer.

H3 Dynamics’ new hydrogen propulsion systems will begin flight tests in France in the coming weeks.