UK – The project icebreaker hydrogen fuel cell (HFC) prototype truck was on display at the 2024 Cenex event held at the UTAC Millbrook proving ground in Bedfordshire, UK (4-5 September). The initiative, led by technology start-up Viritech Ltd*, Horiba MIRA Ltd and hydrogen fuel-cell technology company, Intelligent Energy Ltd** based in Loughborough, UK, was to build a commercially competitive 44-tonne proof of concept Hydrogen Fuel Cell (HFC) heavy goods truck and, to help make hydrogen power commercially viable for large trucks. The proof-of-concept vehicle was assembled, deployed and tested at the MIRA Technology Park in Nuneaton, UK. The prototype truck is expected to be tested by operators during the rest of 2024.

The key innovation in Project Icebreaker lies in the use of hydrogen fuel cells as the primary power source, supported by a small, high-power battery. The system includes a high-efficiency DC-DC converter and a compact 16 kWh battery pack, optimising energy management for long-distance transportation. The project aims to overcome the major challenges of hydrogen fuel cell technology, such as high system weight and cost. By reducing the need for large battery packs and using intelligent energy management, the truck is designed to maintain a high payload capacity and to offer cost parity with diesel trucks by the early 2030s.