H2Rescue’s climate-controlled bed serves as a mobile command center or shelter, and its fuel cell generates treatable water for emergencies.
The fuel cell-powered emergency vehicle is designed to offer critical relief in a time of emergency and natural disasters.
Aprototype rescue truck developed by the US Department of Energy (DOE) has set a new Guiness World Record, showcasing the growing potential of clean-burning haulers.
The prototype hydrogen fuel cell electric truck, named H2Rescue, set a record for the longest distance traveled without refueling, highlighting its emergency response capabilities.
The truck traveled an impressive 1,806 miles (2,906 km) on 386 pounds (175 kilograms) of hydrogen during its record-breaking run. A Guinness World Records adjudicator verified the tank was sealed before the journey began.
The project is a collaboration among US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), DOE’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office and Vehicle Technologies Office, the US Army Ground Vehicle Systems (GVSC) Center, the US Department of Homeland Security’s Science & Technology Directorate (DHS S&T), the US Naval Research Laboratory and Accelera by Cummins.
Hydrogen-powered relief
Natural disasters are rising across the United States, driving the need for specialized relief vehicles that provide critical services like power, heat, water, and supplies. The H2Rescue, a zero-emission fuel cell-powered emergency vehicle, was created to meet this demand.
Hydrogen fuel cells offer the emergency response community a clean, efficient energy solution, operating quietly with only water and heat as byproducts. With 80 percent energy utilization, they are both environmentally friendly and energy-efficient, serving as a stable, transportable energy source for disaster response.
The H2Rescue combines an electric drivetrain, hydrogen fuel cell, hydrogen storage system, and high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries for zero-emission power. The truck is equipped with a Cummins Accelera fuel cell engine and a 250-kilowatt traction motor.
According to DHS, the advanced system enables the truck to act as a self-propelled generator, delivering 25 kW of power—sufficient for 20 homes, shelters, or communication trailers—while operating with minimal noise, making it ideal for disaster relief operations.
Classified as a Class 7 heavy-duty truck weighing about 33,000 pounds (15,000 kilograms), H2Rescue is Department of Transportation roadworthy. Its climate-controlled boxed bed functions as a mobile command center or emergency shelter, and its fuel cell generates water, which can be treated for use during crises.
The truck carries up to 388 pounds (176 kilograms) of hydrogen at 700 bar, supporting extended operations.
Zero-emission disaster response
In 2023, researchers tested H2Rescue during two 180-mile (290-kilometer) round-trip demonstrations. The truck’s high-capacity hydrogen tank allowed it to complete the 180-mile (290-kilometer) journey while providing a minimum of 25 kW of continuous electrical power for 72 hours.
In April 2024, H2Rescue was also showcased on Capitol Hill at the World Fire Congress to present an alternative technology to global decision-makers supporting emergency efforts.
In the record-run done recently, the truck carried 175 kilograms (386 pounds) of hydrogen and consumed 168 kilograms (370 pounds) during its journey.
According to ERDC, the achievement introduced a new Guiness World Record category. The H2Rescue’s journey between Oakland and West Sacramento, California, adhered to strict guidelines, with officials ensuring the truck’s hydrogen tank remained sealed throughout the trip.
It navigated public roads at speeds of 50 to 55 mph (80 to 89 km/h) through rush hour traffic, operating in temperatures ranging from 60 to 80 degree Fahrenheit (16 to 27°C).
“This project started with an idea on paper when we saw some of the wildfires that were ravaging California. A group of researchers from the different federal agencies came together and said ‘how can we create something that could support those emergency situations,’ and now, five years later, that idea set a world record.” said Nick Josefik, an ERDC-CERL industrial engineer and H2Rescue team lead, in a statement.
According to the DOE, replacing traditional emergency response vehicles with H2Rescue trucks could save approximately 1,825 gallons (6,908 liters) of gasoline annually and cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2.5 metric tons (2.8 tons) each year.