Komatsu, a construction and industrial heavy equipment maker, has developed a concept machine for a medium-sized hydraulic excavator that combines a hydrogen fuel cell and Komatsu-developed key components to achieve carbon neutrality at workplaces of construction equipment.
By advancing the Proof of Concept (PoC) tests it started this month, Komatsu will accelerate its efforts to embark on the commercial production of medium-sized and large construction equipment powered by hydrogen fuel cells soon, Komatsu wrote in a statement.
In its mid-term management plan, Komatsu said it is committed to minimising environmental impact through its business, targeting a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from use of its products and from the production of its equipment by 2030, the statement noted.
For the new concept machine, Komatsu has adopted a hydrogen fuel cell system and hydrogen tanks, which were produced by Toyota.
According to Komatsu, medium-sized and large construction equipment requires a power source with higher energy density than that of small construction equipment, which has led the move to electrification with batteries.
Because hydrogen has a higher energy density and can be refueled in a shorter time than recharging batteries, Komatsu has been advancing its R&D efforts as a promising electrification choice for medium-sized and large models.