Following its participation at the 2020 edition, at which the Cursor X 4.0 Power Source Concept was presented, FPT Industrial turned that inspiration into concept solutions that combine open innovation, electrification and the inclusion of start-ups to design its energy transition path. In line with this approach, CES 2022 booth was divided into four Innovation Areas dedicated to the latest projects for its on-road, off-road, marine and power generation engines and systems.

On-Road innovation area

FPT Industrial is responding to the crucial challenges of transport sustainability, energy transition and CO2 emission reduction with a complete range of innovative products.

In line with its multi-application, multi-power and modular range, at CES 2022 FPT Industrial showcased two e-axles and a battery pack with a Battery Management System customised to meet customer needs. Designed to fully integrate all ePowertrain elements in a compact solution to easily house both the commercial load and the battery packs, the new e-axles, one for heavy-duty trucks and the other for LCVs, will guarantee outstanding performance and reliability according to the mission application. 

The integrated electric axle is suitable for heavy-duty, 4x2 / 6x2 articulated 44-ton GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight). Delivering high performance (840 kW) and outstanding efficiency, the e-axle for HCVs (Heavy Commercial Vehicles – Class 8 Trucks) has been developed thanks to a joint venture between Nikola, IVECO and FPT Industrial for the version of the Nikola Tre BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle). In December 2021, pre-series Nikola Tre BEVs were delivered for use on public roads hauling customer freight, with production scheduled to start in 2022. FPT Industrial’s HCV e-axle also features in the recently unveiled FCEV (Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle) prototype of the Nikola Tre FCEV, planned to begin production in Ulm (Germany) in late 2023. FPT Industrial’s high-performance, reliable and top-quality ePowertrain range is completed by state-of-the-art energy storage and management solutions.

In collaboration with Microvast, a Texas-based company and market leader in ultra-fast-charging, long-life battery power systems, FPT Industrial has started internal battery pack development and production. The 37 kWh version, displayed at CES 2022, is the compact design version for light commercial vehicle and minibus applications, featuring a multipack option for both goods and people transport missions.

FPT Industrial’s commitment to high-performance and reliable electrification solutions is completed by its range of cutting-edge Battery Management Systems, customised to get the longest battery life according to mission requirements, thanks to the acquisition of Potenza Technology.

Off-Road innovation area

In 2021, the first prototype New Holland TK Methane Power crawler tractor was delivered to the Fontanafredda vineyards (Piedmont, Italy). Powered by the F28 NG engine running on biomethane, this is the first crawler tractor enabling CO2 net-zero vineyard operations ever used for the production of a Barolo cru, permitting an important step towards sustainable wine production and representing a ready-now solution for energy transition in agriculture. Named “Engine of the Year 2020”, the F28 engine that powers the tractor operating on the Fontanafredda estate ensures a carbon footprint of zero, since it is fueled by biomethane, a renewable energy source produced by the anaerobic digestion of agricultural waste, representing the main enabler of the circular economy in agriculture. On this tractor, the F28 NG provides a power output of 75 hp with peak torque of 360 Nm, ensuring the same performance as diesel.

A three-year partnership between FPT Industrial, New Holland and Fontanafredda is supported by the Region of Piedmont, which funds the collaboration between FPT Industrial and local business for the “Tobias” project, an acronym for biomethane traction for a circular production chain in specialized agriculture.

While the Barolo wine harvested with the first emissions-free tractor is aging in Fontanafredda cellars and we wait to taste this unique wine, FPT Industrial natural gas engines for agriculture are available now, the most feasible solution currently on the market to tackle the global challenges of climate change.

Marine innovation area

Can more than 100 years of expertise and technologies dialogue with future tech to start a revolution in marine propulsion? This is the starting point of the collaboration between FPT Industrial and the Italian startup Sealence, which, together at CES 2022, presented a totally new and extremely innovative Hybrid Electric Marine Propulsion System Concept for pleasure and commercial vessels.

The FPT Industrial N67 570 EVO engine is coupled with a variable speed permanent magnet electric generator used as a range extender to re-charge the battery pack. The range extender and battery work together to provide maximum energy to the electric DeepSpeed Hydrojet developed by Italian startup Sealence. The core of the revolutionary Hybrid Electric Marine Propulsion System Concept is the DeepSpeed Electric Hydrojet. Designed like a plane’s jet engine, through an integrated electric motor it sucks the water from the front and pushes it from the bow side to propel the boat.

A modern take on a more than 100-year-old technology, the ICE dialogues with a 30-year-old technology, the batteries, and together they interface with the future to create one of the most efficient, effective, environmentally friendly and silent – when operating in full electric mode – marine propulsion systems.

The new Hybrid Electric system is entirely geared towards maximum efficiency, as well as application modularity and flexibility.

With the same amount of energy, the DeepSpeed Jet generates more thrust and speed compared to a prop system, while consuming less. Since there is no need for transmissions and axles, there is more available space on board, giving shipyards the opportunity to optimize boat design and internal layout.

The DeepSpeed Jet can be positioned directly under the hull or in stern drive configurations. By varying the number and size of battery packs and generators, boat propulsion configurations can be customized according to their intended use: a mainly electric set-up is preferable for short-range trips, while long-range usage will require more generators and less batteries, since during this kind of navigation the electric motor is powered by the ICE.

FPT Industrial and Sealence are also developing a new generation of marine batteries, featuring a filling technology to make them totally fireproof and safe.

Power generation innovation area

Welcome renewable sources for Power Generation. Is this feasible? For farmers it certainly will be, thanks to the Smart Hybrid Hub powered by FPT Industrial, the world’s first variable speed low-pressure natural gas, hybrid, multi-mode, 100% FPT Industrial genset concept.

This innovative solution is based on the first F28 variable-speed, low-pressure methane engine for Power Generation, fueled by biomethane obtained by the anaerobic digestion of agricultural waste and cattle slurry.

The engine is coupled to an FPT Industrial Hybrid Control Management system, featuring an open configuration with batteries and inverter equivalent, depending on the mission profile.

The aim is to create a sustainable, carbon-net-zero circular economy, enabling farmers to become ‘Energy Independent’ from fossil fuels and able to generate additional revenue streams from biomethane surplus sales.

FPT Industrial’s partner in this project is Bennamann Ltd., a fast-growing British agricultural technology company in the field of clean energy, specialized in the supply and production of net-zero biomethane from organic waste.

In addition to fueling the genset, the biomethane produced on site can be used to fuel natural gas-powered tractors, such as the FPT Industrial-powered 2022 “Sustainable Tractor of The Year” New Holland T6.180 Methane Power, and cars, while the surplus of both electricity and biogas can be fed to the national grid.

The hybrid multi-mode genset concept can meet different customer needs with three main operation modes. Designed for peak shaving with a high load response, the Boosting mode sees the engine working at full steam and the battery pack stepping in to deliver an extra buffer to satisfy the required energy peaks. The Touring mode is focused on the durability of the whole system, with alternating operation between the engine and battery pack in order to optimize efficiency and preserve the lifespan of both components. The full electric Eco mode is designed for fuel consumption optimization and its autonomy at low load can be extended thanks to the modular battery packs.

In comparison to standard gensets, the FPT Industrial Smart Hybrid Hub genset concept delivers a wider power range with a 30-40-60-80 kVA standard rating with just one generator, up to 20% lower fuel consumption, -22% engine displacement, and 2.5 times longer oil change intervals vs diesel constant speed gensets.