Fuel Cells For UPS in CARB Clean Energy Project

Ballard Power Systems said that it will provide fuel cell modules to power four UPS delivery trucks as part of a project being managed by the Center for Transportation and the Environment (CTE) and partially funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

The project will test performance of UPS delivery trucks using larger fuel cell modules to provide primary vehicle propulsion. Ballard expects to ship these modules in 2019, with operation of the UPS vans planned to begin in 2020.

CARB has announced  a preliminary funding award of $5.8 million through its ZANZEFF (Zero and Near Zero Emissions Freight Facilities) grant program, which is focused on accelerating the adoption of clean freight technologies and reducing air pollution caused by the movement of goods throughout the state of California.

 The Next Generation Fuel Cell Delivery Van Deployment Project will develop, validate, and deploy four, Class-6 fuel cell electric hybrid delivery trucks with a view toward commercialization of the technology. Linamar Corporation will be the primary systems integrator of the vehicle, utilizing its existing hybrid powertrain configuration with a next generation e-axle. Ballard will provide fuel cell modules for primary propulsion of each truck. The completed trucks will be operated in parcel delivery service by UPS out of its Customer Center in Ontario, Calif.

Ballard has been involved in the development of a UPS truck using a 30kW FCveloCity-MD fuel cell module as a range extender, thereby addressing range limitations by boosting drive range and providing certainty of completing daily delivery missions while maintaining zero-emission performance.