Komatsu and Toyota have unveiled a 20-tonne hydraulic excavator powered by a Toyota-made fuel cell system, marking a significant stride in decarbonizing heavy construction machinery. Showcased at the Super Taikyu Fuji 24 Hours race, this collaboration underscores a concerted effort to expand hydrogen applications into high-consumption industrial sectors, addressing a critical segment of global carbon emissions.

The fuel cell hydraulic excavator, equipped with Toyota's FC system and tanks, powers a hydraulic pump to generate the necessary oil pressure and flow for its operations, including an 8 m3 scoop capacity and a top speed of 5.5 km/h. This development is a cornerstone of Komatsu's multi-pathway strategy for carbon neutrality, which encompasses internal combustion engines (ICE) utilizing hydrogen, battery-electric solutions, and bridging technologies like alternative fuels and hybrids.

Komatsu CTO Taisuke Kusaba emphasized the global push for decarbonizing construction and mining machinery, noting the immense challenges in energy delivery to remote work sites. Unlike passenger vehicles, heavy equipment cannot easily access fixed hydrogen stations. This logistical hurdle necessitates innovative solutions for on-demand fuel supply.

Addressing this, Toyota Vice President Hiroki Nakajima highlighted the company's efforts in mobile hydrogen delivery, drawing parallels from their Super Taikyu experience. Toyota has developed a next-generation JAF road service vehicle capable of direct hydrogen supply. This concept extends to construction sites, where hydrogen cartridges and compact refueling stations could be mounted on rugged vehicles like the Hilux, enabling on-site refueling of excavators. Such a system could drastically reduce CO2 emissions, with a trial scenario projecting a reduction from 51 tonnes to just one tonne annually for a typical customer.

The strategic importance of industrial and commercial vehicles in fostering a hydrogen society was also stressed. These machines, with their high fuel consumption rates, are crucial for establishing stable hydrogen demand, which is essential for market growth and infrastructure development. Toyota's Commercial Japan Partnership Technologies Corporation (CJPT) framework, which includes various industry partners, is central to this vision, with Komatsu joining as a key ally.

This partnership aims to refine hydrogen delivery technologies through real-world deployment of FC excavators, moving closer to a pervasive hydrogen society. The long-term vision includes exploring sources like natural hydrogen, which, as Vice President Nakajima noted, offers high purity and could significantly impact the energy landscape, particularly for energy-importing nations like Japan.