General Motors and Komatsu will co-develop a hydrogen fuel cell power module for Komatsu's 930E electric drive mining truck, the world's best-selling ultra-class haul truck. GM, a leader in hydrogen fuel cell technology, and Komatsu will jointly design and validate the technology. Lightweight and quick to refuel, hydrogen fuel cells are ideal for electrifying applications traditionally powered by diesel engines.

Hydrogen provides an effective method to package large quantities of energy onboard the vehicle, without compromising payload carrying capacity. Additionally, fuel cells provide an excellent zero tailpipe emissions solution for vehicles with extreme hauling requirements, like the Komatsu 930E mining truck, with its nominal payload of 320 tons. These vehicles typically operate at a single mine throughout their life, which simplifies the challenges of sizing and deploying an effective hydrogen refueling infrastructure to service the vehicle fleet.

Komatsu's fuel cell-powered mining trucks will provide an additional pathway for decarbonization beyond battery-trolley or battery-static charging solutions, without the need for additional charging infrastructure within mines. Komatsu has set a target of reducing its global emissions by 50% by 2030 and a challenge target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. The plans for achieving these goals include reducing and eliminating emissions within the company's product offerings, as well as in the company's facilities and production of its products.

Komatsu also works closely with its customers on reducing and eliminating emissions during product use through optimization programs supported by Komatsu technology and service solutions. GM's target is to be fully carbon neutral in both products and operations by 2040. GM and Komatsu intend to test the first prototype HYDROTEC-powered mining vehicle in the mid-2020s at Komatsu's Arizona Proving Grounds (AZPG) research and development facility.

This vehicle will be powered by over 2 megawatts of HYDROTEC power cubes. GM has been conducting fuel cell research and product development for more than 50 years and is one of the only companies with advanced, homegrown technology platforms for both lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells. GM and Komatsu believe these complimentary technologies can help spur the adoption of lower-emission mobility solutions and help other industries beyond passenger vehicles meet their sustainability goals.

At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which powers everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles.