Hyzon, New Way say hydrogen-powered refuse collection gaining momentum

New Way Trucks, a Scranton, Iowa-based refuse truck body manufacturer, and Rochester, New York-based hydrogen fuel cell system manufacturer Hyzon are putting the hydrogen fuel cell-powered New Way Sidewinder to the test on routes in the San Francisco Bay area in August.

The companies debuted North America’s first hydrogen fuel cell-powered electric refuse vehicle (FCEV) at WasteExpo in Las Vegas in May, following an initial announcement earlier this year on a joint development agreement.

Trials with New Way customers across California and Canada build on the success of Hyzon’s fuel cell electric refuse collection vehicle trials in Australia, demonstrating that hydrogen fuel cell technology is a viable replacement for traditional heavy-duty diesel engines and overcoming some of the inherent challenges identified with other zero-emission technologies such as range issues, fluctuations in operating temperatures and payload limitations.

Demonstrations are scheduled with customers throughout California through the end of the year, New Way says, adding that interest in hydrogen-powered collection and customer demonstrations of this first-of-its-kind refuse truck has grown significantly since New Way and Hyzon began demonstrations. Additionally, Hyzon launched its Class 8 200kW FCEV tractor-trailer trial program last month with North American fleet customers including waste haulers.

“Refuse collection presents an ideal application to showcase the viability of hydrogen fuel cell technology across the environmental services industry,” says Eric Evans, chief product officer for New Way. “Integrating the performance and functionality of our New Way Sidewinder automated side loader and the consistent and regenerative power of Hyzon’s hydrogen fuel cell drivetrain offers a lighter weight refuse vehicle with more payload, compared to battery electric, and similar range and performance as the diesel and CNG trucks in customers’ fleets.”

Hyzon’s hydrogen fuel cell systems provide consistent power over an expected range of at least 125 miles, including at least 1,200 cart lifts along with trips to the transfer station, the company says.

“This momentum and continued interest is evidence that our Hyzon high-performance hydrogen fuel cells offer the right technology to provide zero-emission power tough enough to perform the hard work a refuse truck needs to deliver day in and day out,” says Hyzon CEO Parker Meeks. “The interest will only increase, and I am excited for our continued partnership with New Way to change the future and power a better way forward.”