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cellcentric – a joint venture of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group AB formed in 2021 - develops, produces and commercializes fuel-cell systems for use in heavy-duty trucks and other applications. Its ambition is to become a leading global manufacturer of fuel-cells, and thus help the world take a major step towards climate-neutral and sustainable transportation by 2050. In this presentation, Lars Johansson, COO of cellcentric, will introduce into the fuel cell technology and leads through the company’s journey from the first prototypes to the planned mass production.

There is potential to reduce GHG emissions in the HDV sector through different powertrain options (electric batteries, fuel cell batteries, and combustion engines), and different fuel or energy choices (hydrogen, biofuels, natural gas). The climate impacts of these technologies and fuels vary over the lifetime of the vehicle model. From extracting and processing raw materials to operation and maintenance, some powertrain options are more energy intensive to build than their counterparts, and some fuel sources can produce higher emissions during their production or use. The study uses a life-cycle assessment to analyze the options to allow policymakers and manufacturing companies to compare which powertrain and fuel options provide the largest GHG emissions reductions.

Electric trucks that use fuel cells to generate on-board power are seen as the cornerstone of zero-carbon, zero-emission long-haul heavy-duty transportation. Modularization of fuel cell stacks, components and systems is critical for rapid market entry and lower total cost of ownership. To achieve this, efficient development processes must be utilized to handle the large variety of applications and use cases with reduced engineering effort. The goals can be achieved with model-based development across the entire development chain. This publication presents such a holistic model-based process that extends from the fuel cell powertrain level through the system level to the component level. This process is closely interlinked to the thermal integration, the function development of the hybrid system as well as the fuel cell system of the vehicle via the use of model-in-the-loop approaches.

The current decade is seeing rapid changes in heavy duty powertrains. All manufacturers at IAA were proposing solutions that support a carbon neutral future. Battery Electric (BEV) or hydrogen either in the form Fuel Cell (FCEV) or Internal Combustion Engines (H2-ICE) are being seen as the most exciting options currently. This presentation focuses in on emissions control of H2-ICE systems. Emissions control of H2-ICE requires close consideration of current and future legislation, as well as meeting new and unique challenges to deliver a sustainable zero carbon solution that the planet requires. H2-ICE SI engines can operate as stoichiometric or lean burn, the direction of emissions control can be chosen based on this. System components need to consider other factors such as possible H2 embrittlement, oil bypass, other legislative criteria emissions, global warming potential (GWP) as well as higher levels of water in the exhaust from H2 combustion.

Presenting the Volvo transition development work towards carbon neutral products, focused on fuel cell electric vehicle development. Discussing and reflecting on the growth of hydrogen infrastructure and hydrogen storage. Exemplifying with development examples, challenges as well as need of firm standards, policies and economic stability.