Kenworth T680 Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle Powered by Hydrogen Featured in Washington, D.C.
Key government agency officials and members of Congress recently had the opportunity to see and explore a Kenworth T680 fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV), powered by hydrogen, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C.
The activities began with a visit from Deputy Administrator Meera Joshi of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).
The zero-emissions T680 FCEV day cab then served as a backdrop for a major U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) press conference. During that event, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm announced $60 million in funding for 24 research and development projects, including projects related to battery and electrification technologies and the transportation industry aimed at driving down emissions.
Secretary Granholm was later joined by White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy for a discussion and ride along in the Kenworth T680 FCEV where they experienced the truck quietly and cleanly driving through the D.C. area. The following day, members of Congress, committee staff, and trade association executives stopped by for a visit and discussion.
“This was a great opportunity to provide a hands-on look at the T680 fuel cell electric vehicle to leading government agency officials and members of Congress and their staffs,” said Kevin Baney, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. “The T680 FCEV program is a key element of Kenworth’s industry-leading efforts of ‘Driving to Zero Emissions’ in the U.S. and Canada.”
Kenworth has built 10 zero-emissions T680 FCEVs under the $82.5 million Shore-to-Store (S2S) project led by the Port of Los Angeles. The project is part of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment — particularly in disadvantaged communities.
The demonstration project is moving forward with a $41.1 million grant from the California Air Resources Board’s Zero- and Near-Zero Emissions Freight Facilities (ZANZEFF) program. In addition to Kenworth, featured partners include Toyota Motor North America, Shell Oil Products U.S. (Shell), Toyota Logistics Services, UPS, Total Transportation Systems Inc. (TTSI), Southern Counties Express, South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), and the Port of Hueneme.
The comprehensive Kenworth zero-emissions EV program also features the Class 8 Kenworth T680E battery electric and medium duty Kenworth K270E and K370E battery-electric vehicles, which are all available for order. The vehicles are designed for local pickup and delivery, drayage, and short regional haul applications.