Mitsubishi Fuso unveiled its hydrogen-powered H2IC and H2FC truck concepts at JMS 2025, showcasing internal combustion and fuel cell innovations.
The H2IC and H2FC Demonstrate Mitsubishi Fuso’s ZEV Commitment
Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (Mitsubishi Fuso) has unveiled its two hydrogen-powered heavy-duty truck concept models, the H2IC and the H2FC, at the Japan Mobility Show 2025 (JMS 2025), held in Tokyo, Japan, from October 30 to November 9.
The H2IC is a heavy-duty truck powered by an internal combustion engine that combusts hydrogen, while the H2FC is a heavy-duty truck powered by a fuel cell system. Mitsubishi Fuso believes hydrogen is an effective means to achieve carbon neutrality for commercial vehicles, especially within the heavy-duty and long-distance segments, due to its high energy content, long range, and short refuelling time.
Fuelled with compressed hydrogen gas, the H2IC utilises components and technologies commonly found in diesel trucks, enabling it to lead a faster and smoother transition to hydrogen vehicles. The H2ICE technology, in particular, excels in high-power applications, such as construction vehicles.
Meanwhile, in the H2FC, a fuel cell system converts hydrogen to electricity, which then powers an electric motor. The hydrogen in this truck is stored in liquid form, which has a higher density compared to compressed hydrogen gas. This enables the truck to travel more than 1,200 kilometres and be refuelled in 15 minutes, without any compromise on load body space.
“As a frontrunner in BEV (battery electric vehicle) solutions for light-duty trucks, Mitsubishi Fuso now aims to demonstrate leading future ZEV (zero-emission vehicle) solutions for heavy-duty trucks also,” the Kawasaki-based company wrote in its official statement.
The liquid hydrogen that fuels the H2FC is stored inside a tank designed for subcooled liquid hydrogen (sLH2) refuelling, jointly developed by Daimler Truck and Linde Engineering—a global leader in industrial gases and hydrogen infrastructure. This technology eliminates the need to discharge the boil-off gas (evaporated hydrogen gas) by pressurising hydrogen during refuelling.
By pressurising hydrogen during refuelling, the tank also reduces boil-off during operation, thereby addressing a challenge previously faced when handling liquid hydrogen. In addition to that, the use of sLH2 simplifies the equipment required at hydrogen stations when using compressed hydrogen gas, contributing to reduced infrastructure costs and the realisation of a hydrogen society.
To develop the sLH2 technology in Japan, Mitsubishi Fuso has been working together with Iwatani Corporation, the sole supplier of liquid hydrogen in the country, to conduct research regarding filling technology, regulations, and commercialisation. Mitsubishi Fuso is also working with other companies and institutions to support the sLH2 refuelling technology in Japan, including developing ISO standardisation.
