Elemental Trucks Completes Prototype of 63.5-Tonne Hydrogen Fuel Cell Class 8 Truck

Elemental Trucks, a Canadian venture founded in 2022 with operations in Toronto, Montreal, and Charlottetown, has completed its prototype for a 63.5-tonne hydrogen fuel cell electric Class 8 truck—the first of its kind designed for North America's heavy-haul market.

The truck operates by filling with hydrogen at 700 bar, which powers a fuel cell stack that generates electricity for an electric drivetrain, producing only water vapor emissions. The system delivers continuous 360 kW output and targets an 800 km range, addressing range anxiety and payload limitations that battery-electric trucks face on long-distance routes.

Elemental Trucks partnered with HTEC, a Canadian hydrogen infrastructure company, to integrate high-pressure storage cylinders and safety systems including leak detection and automated pressure relief. The prototype was built on a Peterbilt glider chassis at Elemental Trucks' Rexdale facility in Toronto, incorporating expertise from Quebec precision machinists and Atlantic Canada composites specialists.

Testing has included sub-zero trials at -20°C and payload testing on Ontario tracks, supported by funding from the Ontario Vehicle Innovation Network (OVIN). The company aims to begin production in 2026, with initial deployment in British Columbia followed by Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, and Atlantic Canada.

Elemental Trucks is coordinating with HTEC and partners to establish refueling infrastructure at ports, airports, and depots across key transport corridors.

Originally reported by Hydrogen Fuel News. Read the full article →