Isuzu Giga Fuel Cell EV truck can do 800 km without a drop of fuel

Prototype Isuzu Giga Fuel Cell heavy-duty truck revealed at 2023 Japan Mobility Show

After releasing the first images and details about its fuel cell-powered electric truck, Isuzu Motors Limited (IML) officially unveiled the Giga Fuel Cell at the 2023 Japan Mobility Show. Jointly developed with Honda, the Giga Fuel Cell concept is Isuzu’s vision for a zero-emissions heavy-duty hauler.

For Isuzu and Honda, they believe that fuel cell technology along with hydrogen is one of the key possibilities to achieve carbon neutrality for heavy-duty trucks without having to compromise load carrying. Combined with the Giga Fuel Cell’s ability to achieve high-efficiency transportation as well as cover long distances, Isuzu and Honda want to make this type of sustainable powertrain available for future heavy-duty trucks.

The model on display at Tokyo Big Sight is actually a working model and adopts the Lowdeck 8x4 rigid truck configuration which is typical for trucks used in intercity transportation. On a full tank of hydrogen, Isuzu claims the Giga Fuel Cell has a range of more than 800 km without producing any emissions.

This is all made possible thanks to a solid polymer fuel cell stack which acts as the heart of the fuel cell power system. It has an output of 103 kWx4 which equates to 560 PS. However, that power will have to be converted to electricity which we’ll get to later. And since it’s a fuel cell vehicle, (FCEV), it has a high-pressure hydrogen system that has a capacity of 56kg.

Once the hydrogen and fuel cell convert to produce electricity, the system then powers a high-voltage lithium-ion battery that in turn generates power for a high-output electric motor that cranks out 320 kW or 435 PS. As mentioned earlier, the heavy-duty truck can travel for up to 800 km with no trouble.

Aside from producing zero emissions from its fuel cell system, the Giga Fuel Cell can also provide power to external equipment. That’s right, it has an external power output function so that it can provide large energy capacity in times of disaster. It works via 2 CHAdeMO connectors with a maximum power supply of 530 kWh.

The two companies plan to start demonstrating testing of a prototype model on public roads before the end of the fiscal year which ends on March 31, 2024. Afterward, they plan to introduce the production model to the market by 2027.