Hyzon Motors, a developer of commercial hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles (EV), completed its first commercial run with a liquid hydrogen fuel-cell EV (LH2 FCEV). The company carried out the operation in partnership with Performance Food Group (PFG), a North American food and foodservice distribution company, and Chart Industries, a company that develops process technologies and equipment for gas and liquid molecule handling.

Hyzon’s delivery run, which took place in Texas, covered a distance of over 540 miles in 16 hours and completed deliveries to eight PFG customers. Following the success of this operation, the company estimates that its 200 kW fuel-cell system would be able to operate at a range of 650–800 miles, which is comparable to diesel truck range requirements.

Rather than gaseous hydrogen, liquid hydrogen enables Hyzon to increase the amount of fuel taken in a vehicle significantly due to higher energy density. In order to maintain this energy-dense liquid state, the hydrogen needs a temperature of -400°F. For this, Hyzon has partnered with Chart Industries to develop a tank system that is able to store liquid hydrogen at cold temperatures and deliver it to the fuel-cell system at the required pressure.