© CASC

China has taken a major step in hydrogen-powered freight transport with the successful trial of the “Track 1000” liquid hydrogen fuel-cell truck. Developed by the 101st Institute of the Sixth Academy of China Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation (CASC), the vehicle integrates a 300kW fuel cell with a 100kg LH₂ storage tank, allowing for more than 1,000km of travel without refueling.

The trial, conducted in Beijing with a FAW Jiefang heavy-duty truck, showed strong performance. The system has aerospace-grade cryogenic insulation, a 3% static evaporation rate, and stable pressure management. The fuel cell operates at a hydrogen pressure above 1.3MPa, while a supercritical transient response of 4kW/s ensures high efficiency.

This is China’s first independently developed 100kg-class onboard LH₂ system. The technology will now be tested in real-world logistics as part of the Panzhihua Liquid Hydrogen Application Demonstration Zone. National safety and refueling standards are already in place to support commercialization.

Key Advances in Hydrogen Trucking

The test confirmed key technical improvements. The hydrogen fuel system completed a fully automated purge and replacement cycle before refueling, reducing the risk of leaks. It also integrates with the vehicle’s powertrain for real-time diagnostics. Testing in Beijing showed stable hydrogen supply pressure and efficient operation.

Preparing for Commercial Use

CASC is working on a new version of the system with better efficiency and storage. A side-mounted LH₂ configuration improves volume efficiency by 35%, and new insulation technology aims to cut evaporation rates below 2%. The system is being designed to work with different fuel cell types and LH₂ cylinder designs.

The next phase involves real-world tests in the Panzhihua Liquid Hydrogen Application Demonstration Zone. With national technical standards already in place, China is moving closer to commercial hydrogen-powered freight transport.

The Global Hydrogen Freight Race

China’s hydrogen truck projects align with global developments. Daimler has also introduced a 1,000km-range truck using cryogenic liquid hydrogen, which holds 50% more energy per volume than gaseous hydrogen at 700 bar. However, its reliance on cryogenic refueling presents infrastructure challenges.