SOURCE: Komatsu | May 18, 2023
In their mid-term management plan, Komatsu committed to minimizing environmental impact throughout their business, targeting a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from use of their products and production of their equipment by 2030 (compared with 2010 levels) and a challenge target of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
To help their customers achieve carbon neutrality, Komatsu have been providing a variety of products, services, and solutions that reduce environmental impact, such as hybrid hydraulic excavators and electric mini-excavators. The company is also engaged in research and development to provide products equipped with new power sources.
For their new concept machine, Komatsu adopted a hydrogen fuel-cell system and hydrogen tank, which were produced by Toyota Motor Corporation, on a medium-sized Komatsu hydraulic excavator.
In addition to Komatsu’s comprehensive control technology, the combination of Toyota’s hydrogen fuel-cell system and Komatsu’s key components, the company is working towards zero exhaust emissions and a significant reduction in noise and vibration, while delivering the same digging performance and high operability as engine-driven excavators.
Medium-sized and large construction equipment both require a power source with higher energy density than that of small construction equipment, which has led to the move to electrification with batteries, say Komatsu.
Because hydrogen has a higher energy density and can be refuelled in a shorter time than is required for recharging batteries, the company has been advancing its R&D efforts as a promising electrification choice for medium-sized and large models.
To contribute to realizing a hydrogen society and carbon neutrality, Komatsu say they will continue their efforts towards the commercial production of medium-sized and large construction machinery equipped with hydrogen fuel-cells by conducting PoC tests of this new concept machine.
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