Savage and Symbio commission hydrogen truck

Unveiled less than a year after the companies formalised their partnership at ACT Expo 2025, the completed vehicle is exceeding performance expectations and achieving a remarkably low curb weight of approximately 17 000 lbs, significantly enhancing payload capacity for port and regional operations. With the truck now fully commissioned, Savage will be operating the world’s lightest known ZEV tractor in its category. The Symbio Class 8 Zero Emission Truck sets a new benchmark delivering unmatched payload, efficiency and operational uptime with reduced mass.

The completed truck validates the engineering vision behind Symbio’s next generation hydrogen fuel cell driveline. The system features a total 150 kW peak power multi StackPack™ architecture, designed for _ high load factor and 24/7 duty cycles common in drayage.

Paired with FORVIA’s 70 MPa XL hydrogen storage tanks providing 34 kg of onboard hydrogen, the truck delivers full shift capability without mid shift refuelling. The integrated system achieves:

• 17 000 lbs. curb weight, enabling substantially higher payload than any ZEV alternatives.
• Diesel equivalent gradeability and performance.
• Safe hydrogen refuelling in under 15 minutes.
• A compact and modular powertrain package supporting flexible fleet deployment.

From design to real-world hardware:

The build of the prototype 4×2 FCEV marks a significant step forward in the partnership’s commitment to accelerating zero-emission drayage. Key collaboration areas include:

• Prototype Completion & Validation: delivery of the first Mack Anthem–based FCEV equipped with Symbio’s full hydrogen driveline.
• Operational Deployment: Savage will begin real world operation and performance monitoring in demanding drayage environments including 24/7/365 operation.
• Cost Effective Fuel Cell Integration: Joint engineering has produced a lightweight, modular, maintainable system supporting competitive TCO.
• Data Driven Optimisation: Savage will capture duty cycle data and uptime metrics to support ongoing refinement of Symbio’s systems.

The transition to hydrogen in real-world fleet operations

“The launch of this fleet marks a major step forward in how we operate in the region,” said Tyler Flynn, VP Procurement at Savage. “This truck will allow us to reduce our environmental footprint while delivering the same reliability and performance our customers expect.”

“Delivering this truck is a proud moment for our engineering and integration team,” commented Rick Breunesse, Business Development Director and Technical Advisor at Symbio North America. “This vehicle is specifically designed around a use case which benefits from electrification, quick refuelling time and diesel weight parity, this package has it all!”

Read the article online at: https://www.globalhydrogenreview.com/hydrogen/09032026/savage-and-symbio-commission-hydrogen-truck/