Glickenhaus Aims to Make Hydrogen Trucks as Affordable as Diesel
Scuderia Cameron Glickenhaus (SCG), the team known for its race cars, is turning its attention to the pickup truck market. Their ambitious goal? To make a hydrogen-powered work truck that’s as affordable to buy and operate as a turbodiesel model.
This move is a bit unexpected, given SCG’s history; their street-legal vehicles are typically high-end, low-volume supercars. However, SCG is targeting a different audience this time: “fleets, game wardens, and farmers,” among others.
On paper, the unnamed model is taking shape. The truck will be available in two or four-door configurations with either a six- or eight-foot cargo box. All variants will feature swappable hydrogen tanks, designed to extend the truck’s range even away from refueling stations.
Details about the powertrain are still emerging. The term “hydrogen-powered” can refer to different technologies, such as a fuel cell that uses hydrogen to generate electricity (similar to the BMW iX5) or an internal combustion engine that burns hydrogen (like in Toyota’s experimental Corolla race car). Regardless of the exact method, SCG promises diesel-comparable towing, payload, and performance capabilities, along with a driving range of up to 800 miles.
Furthermore, SCG is planning a “small unit that can fill our swappable tanks using solar and water to make [hydrogen].” This adds another intriguing element to the project.
While ambitious, SCG has a track record of achieving noteworthy accomplishments. The company developed a hydrogen-powered variant of the Boot for the 2022 Baja 1000, and the new truck is incorporating some of that technology, like the swappable tanks. The design is still under development; a released preview image suggests a Jeep Wrangler-esque front end, a Ford F-150-esque cab design, and a unique arrangement for the hydrogen hardware. SCG hopes to build the first test truck soon.
