Toyota Motor North America is partnering with the Port of Los Angeles, Kenworth and Shell to launch a zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell freight project under which it will supply powertrains and provide operational support.
Toyota and Kenworth, owned by Paccar Inc., of Bellevue, Wash., will develop 10 zero-emission hydrogen fuel cell trucks, the automaker said Friday in a statement. The automaker will provide fuel cell stacks and tanks, batteries and the electric motors that will be used in Kenworth's Class 8 trucks, Toyota spokesman Brian Lyons told Automotive News.
The Port of Los Angeles said Friday that it was preliminarily awarded $41 million from the California Air Resources Board for the project, which is expected to reduce emissions by 465 metric tons of greenhouse gases. The cost of the project's first phase is $82.6 million, 50.2 percent of which will be funded by the partners.
According to the grant application, the project will provide "direct localized emission reductions in designated disadvantaged communities" in the Los Angeles area, including Ontario and Wilmington, Calif., and the surrounding communities of San Pedro and Long Beach, Calif.
Toyota Logistics Services will operate zero-emission forklifts and oversee Toyota Transport, which will operate the hydrogen fuel cell trucks, the application says.
The proposal was developed by the four partners, but the Port of Los Angeles is listed as the lead applicant.
The second phase of the project involves setting up two hydrogen fuel stations, operated by Shell, in Ontario and Wilmington. The new stations, along with three at Toyota operations around Los Angeles, will create a fueling network to transport goods from "shore to store."
The last phase entails the use of zero-emission technology in off-road and warehouse equipment. For example, two zero-emission yard tractors will be used at the Port of Hueneme about 65 miles northwest of Los Angeles.
The partners expect CARB to officially award the grant by year end, Lyons said.
The project is in line with Toyota's plans to cut carbon dioxide emissions from its Toyota Logistics center at the Port of Long Beach by 2050.
In July at the CAR Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Mich., the automaker unveiled a second generation of its proposed hydrogen fuel cell semitruck, known as Project Portal 2.0.
Michael Martinez contributed to this report.