Great Wall Motors (GWM) has completed Brazil’s first cargo transport operation using a hydrogen fuel cell electric truck, marking the first demonstration of the technology in a real-world heavy-duty transport application in Latin America.
During its first loaded operation in the country, the GWM Hydrogen truck hauled a car carrier trailer loaded with the company’s own electrified cars and SUVs. The journey began at the Institute for Technological Research (IPT), located within the University of São Paulo (USP) campus, and ended at the Interlagos racetrack in São Paulo.
The operation also represents the truck’s first demonstration under actual cargo transport conditions in Brazil.
The project marks a new stage in GWM’s efforts to develop zero-emission solutions for heavy-duty transportation.
“We are talking about a technology that combines the best of both worlds: the robustness and reliability of an electric truck with the range provided by green hydrogen, along with fast refueling and zero emissions from tank to wheel,” said Davi Lopes, Head of GWM Hydrogen Brasil.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology
Developed by GWM Hydrogen in partnership with the Institute for Technological Research (IPT), the truck uses a fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) powertrain.
The system uses hydrogen stored in onboard cylinders and oxygen from the air to generate electricity through an electrochemical process. The electricity powers the vehicle’s electric motor, while the only direct exhaust emission is water vapor (H₂O).
The vehicle is equipped with a 105 kWh battery and carbon-fiber hydrogen cylinders capable of storing up to 40 kg of hydrogen gas at pressures of up to 350 bar. It also features a regenerative braking system that recovers energy during braking and deceleration, allowing energy to be recovered in situations such as downhill driving.
The powertrain delivers up to 400 kW, equivalent to 544 horsepower, and 2,700 Nm of torque, specifications designed to meet the demands of heavy-duty cargo transportation in Brazil.
With its hydrogen cylinders fully refueled, the truck can achieve a range of up to 500 kilometers, while refueling can be completed within minutes. The system also enables continuous operation for more than 10 hours.
Higher Payload Capacity
The truck has a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 49 metric tons and an unladen weight of 10.8 metric tons, approximately 500 kilograms lighter than the average of competing models, according to GWM.
The lower weight can increase available payload capacity while maintaining the structural robustness required for heavy-duty applications.
The combination of electric propulsion, hydrogen fuel cells and regenerative braking is designed to provide an alternative to conventional diesel-powered trucks, particularly for operations requiring long range and high payload capacity.
GWM and IPT Partnership
The partnership between GWM and the Institute for Technological Research (IPT) enabled the initiative through joint testing and studies focused on the safety, performance and feasibility of hydrogen-powered heavy vehicles.
IPT’s Hydrogen Laboratory operates two hydrogen refueling stations (HRS): one with a pressure of 700 bar for light-duty vehicles and another operating at 350 bar for heavy-duty vehicles.
The availability of the 350-bar infrastructure provides GWM with a dedicated location in São Paulo to refuel its hydrogen truck, supporting the development and potential deployment of the technology in Brazil.
The agreement between GWM and IPT also creates opportunities for further research and development in hydrogen technologies, including high-pressure tank testing and studies focused on safety and energy efficiency.
The cooperation is aligned with the guidelines of Brazil’s National Hydrogen Program (PNH2), which promotes technological development and cooperation between the public and private sectors.
“Hydrogen is more than an energy carrier; it is a driver of social, environmental and technological development for Brazil. Working alongside IPT, one of the country’s leading research institutions, is a decisive step toward making hydrogen-powered trucks a reality in the Brazilian market,” Lopes said.
GWM’s Hydrogen Experience in China
GWM’s confidence in introducing the technology to Brazil is supported by the experience of FTXT, its Chinese subsidiary responsible for developing fuel cell technologies and components for hydrogen-powered applications.
More than 30,000 vehicles using similar hydrogen technologies are currently operating in China, according to GWM. Among its major deployments, FTXT has placed more than 500 new hydrogen trucks into operation in the city of Baoding, bringing the total number of hydrogen trucks operating there to more than 2,000 units.
Outside China, the company operates under the GWM Hydrogen brand as part of its global hydrogen strategy.
In 2025 alone, more than 1,000 new hydrogen-powered vehicles were deployed, further expanding the company’s experience with the technology at commercial scale.
According to GWM, the vehicles are designed to operate in extreme conditions, with fuel cell systems capable of supporting cold starts at temperatures as low as -30°C. The company states that they can be refueled within minutes and operate continuously for more than 10 hours, even in severe climates.
This experience, already tested at scale in China, is now being evaluated and adapted by GWM to the requirements of the Brazilian market.
Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology & Payload Advantage - Key specifications
Key specifications designed for the demands of Brazilian cargo transportation include:
- Powertrain: Delivers up to 400 kW (544 horsepower) and 2,700 Nm of torque.
- Energy Storage: Equipped with a 105 kWh battery and carbon-fiber cylinders capable of storing up to 40 kg of hydrogen gas at 350 bar.
- Efficiency: A regenerative braking system recovers energy during deceleration and downhill driving.
- Range & Operation: Achieves up to 500 kilometers of range, refuels in minutes, and supports continuous operation for more than 10 hours.
- Payload Capacity: Features a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 49 metric tons. The unladen weight of 10.8 metric tons is approximately 500 kilograms lighter than competing diesel models, increasing available payload without sacrificing structural robustness.
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