Toyota Drives the Future of Zero Emission Trucking

Toyota Drives the Future of Zero Emission Trucking

Toyota Drives the Future of Zero Emission Trucking

If you see a big-rig driving around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach that seems oddly quiet and quick, do not be alarmed! It’s just the future.

The possible future of heavy-duty trucking recently hit the streets in the form of Toyota Motor North America, Inc.’s (TMNA) “Project Portal” – a hydrogen fuel cell system designed for heavy-duty truck use. The zero-emission class 8 truck proof of concept has completed more than 4,000 successful development miles, while progressively pulling drayage rated cargo weight, and emitting nothing but water vapor.

“Toyota has led the way in expanding the understanding and adoption of fuel cell technology,” said TMNA Executive Vice President Bob Carter. “From the introduction of the Mirai passenger vehicle to the creation of the heavy-duty fuel cell system in Project Portal, Toyota continues to demonstrate the versatility and scalability of the zero-emission fuel cell powertrain.”

With testing and development miles completed, Project Portal is ready to go to work. Initial feasibility study routes, moving goods from select Port of Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals to surrounding rail yards and warehouses for distribution, will begin on October 23rd. It’s estimated the truck’s daily trips will total around 200 miles. These localized, frequent route patterns are designed to test the demanding drayage duty-cycle capabilities of the fuel cell system while capturing real world performance data. As the study progresses, longer haul routes will be introduced.

The initial feasibility study operations will be managed by the TMNA Project Portal team, in collaboration with Toyota’s Service Parts Accessories Operations group and its drayage provider, Southern Counties Express (SCE).

Revealed in April 2017, Project Portal is the next step in Toyota’s effort to broaden the application of zero-emission fuel cell technology that can serve a range of industries. It is a fully functioning heavy duty truck with the power and torque capacity to conduct port drayage operations while producing zero emissions. Heavy duty vehicles make up a significant percentage of the annual emissions output at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, and the Portal feasibility study may provide another path to further reduce emissions.

The Project Portal heavy-duty truck concept generates more than 670 horsepower and 1,325 pound feet of torque from two Mirai fuel cell stacks and a 12kWh battery, a relatively small battery to support class 8 load operations. The concept’s gross combined weight capacity is 80,000 lbs., and its estimated driving range is more than 200 miles per fill, under normal drayage operation.

courtesy: pressroom.toyota.com

Honda Opens Factory Doors to Students on National Manufacturing Day

Honda Opens Factory Doors to Students on National Manufacturing Day

Honda Opens Factory Doors to Students on National Manufacturing Day

Honda companies across the country are embracing National Manufacturing Day by working with community organizations to highlight the significant career opportunities available in today’s manufacturing.

Honda Transmission Manufacturing (HTM) in Ohio, Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA), Honda Manufacturing of Indiana (HMIN) and Honda of America Mfg., Inc. (HAM) in Ohio are participating in National Manufacturing Day events throughout this month, offering more than 1,500 students of all ages an up-close view of modern manufacturing through plant tours, hands-on activities and career fairs.

“At Honda we view it as our responsibility to help attract and prepare the manufacturing workforce of the 21st Century and Manufacturing Day is a great opportunity to showcase the great career opportunities in today’s manufacturing world,” said Rick Schostek, executive vice president of Honda North America, Inc. “At the same time, Honda is working with schools, 2-year colleges and universities to support the math and science education needed for these high-tech careers.”

HTM (Russells Point, Ohio) is hosting approximately 700 students this week. Students will have the opportunity to meet with subject matter experts at certain manufacturing stations, participate in a parts measurement challenge and attend a career fair.

HAM’s Anna Engine Plant (Anna, Ohio) hosted approximately 600 students from 19 different area schools October 3-4, where they received a tour of the facility, an overview of plant operations and an opportunity to attend a college fair.

HMA (Lincoln, Alabama) hosted approximately 200 high-school students from the plant’s primary hiring area (Calhoun, Etowah, Jefferson, St. Clair and Talladega counties) yesterday and today. The students toured the plant, participated in a bolt torque challenge and discussed manufacturing careers with Honda associates.

HMIN (Greensburg, Indiana) will be hosting middle and high school students from Marion (Indianapolis) and Decatur County (Greensburg) schools on Monday, October 23. Students will participate in a manufacturing game, rotate through hands-on interactive stations, hear from a diverse panel of associates about potential career paths in automotive manufacturing and tour the plant.

courtesy: hondanews.com