Komatsu has begun proof of concept tests of a medium-sized hydraulic excavator powered by a hydrogen fuel cell.
Komatsu's concept hydrogen-powered excavatorKomatsu already makes battery-powered mini-excavators but believes that battery power is unlikely to feasible for larger construction machinery. Therefore it is now working on the near-term commercial production of medium-sized and large construction equipment powered by hydrogen fuel cells.
For the new concept machine, Komatsu has adopted a hydrogen fuel cell system and hydrogen tank, produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, on Komatsu's medium-sized hydraulic excavator.
Medium-sized and large construction equipment both require a power source with higher energy density than that of small construction equipment, which has led to the move to electrification with batteries.
Because hydrogen has a higher energy density and can be refuelled in a shorter time than is required for recharging batteries, Komatsu has been advancing its R&D efforts as a promising electrification choice for medium-sized and large models, it said.
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