The product roadmap for Quantron AG is quickly unfolding in the hydrogen fuel-cell truck space in the company's first four years of operation. Since its 2021 partnership with Ballard Power – maker of the FCMove MD and XD fuel cell systems – the Augsburg, Germany-based hydrogen fuel-cell solutions provider already has introduced the QLI FCEV medium-duty truck and the QHM heavy-duty cabover tractor for the European market.
When Quantron US was established as a subsidiary in 2022, it was just a matter of time before the company would introduce a conventional hydrogen fuel-cell variant for the North American market. The industry got its first glimpse of the Quantron FC8 at the 2023 ACT Expo earlier this year in Anaheim. Now, Quantron says it is readying the FC8 for launch early next year.
What stands out about Quantron’s new North American tractor, at least on paper, is a range promise of 750-plus miles under maximum load with 80 kg of hydrogen storage at 700 bar of pressure. By comparison, the FC8’s European QLI and QHM siblings have ranges of 280 miles and 435 miles, respectively.
Richard Ansell, vice president of marketing for Quantron US, said the company is working to increase hydrogen storage to 120 kg, which would extend the FC8’s range well above 1,000 miles.
“Our goal is to be the range leader,” said Ansell. “Trucking is all about efficiency, and that means maximum payloads and limited downtime and quick refueling.”
As part of the company’s asset-light OEM strategy, the Quantron FC8 consists of a number of sourced components, including a 200-kWh capacity battery pack from Xerotech and fuel cells from Bosch. The FC8 is powered by two 200kw eAxles from Accelera, the zero-emissions power business segment of Cummins. Overall, the tractor yields just under 1,000 pounds of payload capacity compared to a conventional diesel tractor.
