Birmingham-based Autocar developing new zero-emission trucks with General Motors

Auto giant General Motors (GM) is teaming up with Autocar Industries, LLC—headquartered in Birmingham—to develop a new generation of zero-emission work vehicles. The first vehicles are expected to go into production in 2026 at the Autocar Truck Plant in The Magic City.

The next generation of heavy-duty work vehicles

In a recent press release, GM and Autocar announced their plans to develop a new generation of zero-emission, heavy-duty work vehicles—such as cement mixers, dump trucks, refuse trucks, terminal tractors and more—powered by GM’s HYDROTEC power cube technology.

“EV propulsion systems like GM’s Ultium Platform are great solutions for electrifying passenger vehicles, but larger vehicles like Autocar’s class 8 trucks, refuse trucks and terminal tractors require robust solutions that enable significant energy carrying capacity and fast refueling times. We want to enable zero tailpipe emissions solutions for the largest, highest energy consuming vehicles, and fuel cells are ideal for the most energy intensive applications.”

Charlie Freese, GM Executive Director, Global HYDROTEC

Each HYDROTEC power cube contains more than 300 hydrogen fuel cells, which combine hydrogen and oxygen to generate electricity through an electrochemical reaction. HYDROTEC power cubes provide 77 kilowatts of power, are lightweight and offer several advantages for heavy-duty work trucks, including:

• Rapid refueling
• Quiet operation
• Excellent range
• Capacity to enable large payloads

Built in Birmingham

The first of these next-generation zero-emission work trucks is expected to go into production in 2026 at the Autocar Truck Plant in Birmingham. Vehicles using HYDROTEC technology will be built to order by Autocar and sold directly to customers.

“Autocar provides customized vocational trucking solutions, and as regulations change, we see HYDROTEC fuel cells as an additional avenue for our customers to meet their EPA requirements with zero tailpipe emissions vehicles. GM’s scale, reliability and the capability of their HYDROTEC fuel cell technology will enhance Autocar’s existing platforms.”

Eric Schwartz, President, Autocar Industries, LLC

Founded in 1897 in Pittsburgh, PA, Autocar is one of the oldest motor vehicle manufacturers in the country and specializes in the manufacturing of severe-duty, Class 7 and Class 8 vocational trucks.

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