Komatsu has developed a concept vehicle for a medium-sized hydraulic excavator equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell. This vehicle is equipped with multiple Toyota hydrogen fuel cell systems and hydrogen tanks on a 20-ton class vehicle body. A 20-ton electric excavator, as well as a hydrogen fuel cell excavator, has already been developed in October 2022. In order to achieve carbon neutrality at construction sites, we are accelerating efforts toward mass production.

The operating hours and size of this concept car have not been announced, but for reference, the dimensions of a 20-ton standard car are 9.5 meters wide, 2.8 meters wide, and 3.1 meters high. We have pursued powerful excavation performance and operability equivalent to those of the engine-driven type by using key components developed in-house and total control technology.

Along with electric excavators, Komatsu is also focusing on the development of hydrogen fuel cell excavators. The background is that hydrogen fuel can be filled in a shorter time than lithium-ion batteries (LiB). Current LiBs do not have enough power for large construction machinery, and if the number of LiBs is increased and the output is increased, it will take a long time to recharge, making it unusable at construction sites. However, hydrogen fuel cells also currently have problems with the hydrogen supply infrastructure, and we are continuing our research while keeping an eye on future support measures from the government.

for more info:https://www.komatsu.jp/ja/newsroom/2023/20230512