Truckmakers Look to Hydrogen Combustion Engines for Emission Reduction
Key Ideas
- Truck manufacturers like Volvo and MAN are investigating hydrogen combustion engines as a cost-effective transition to zero emissions, offering extended range and reduced weight compared to electric batteries.
- Hydrogen combustion engines allow manufacturers to utilize existing production lines, preserving jobs and minimizing disruptions while serving as a bridge to hydrogen fuel cells and batteries.
- Challenges include the need for emission filters, safe hydrogen storage tanks, and limited availability of green hydrogen, but funding from the EU and the US aims to address these issues.
- Despite challenges, truck industry players are optimistic about hydrogen combustion engines, providing a practical interim solution for emission reduction until green hydrogen becomes more abundant.
Truck manufacturers such as Volvo and MAN are turning to low-emission hydrogen combustion engines as a promising solution for reducing emissions in the trucking industry. The move towards hydrogen is fueled by its extended range and reduced weight compared to electric batteries, making it a practical choice for long-haul freight operations. While hydrogen fuel cells are an option, the need to design new truck systems makes them costly. By developing hydrogen combustion engines, manufacturers can leverage existing production lines, ensuring job preservation and minimizing disruptions. MAN is set to deploy 200 trucks with hydrogen engines for testing in European fleets next year, while Volvo plans to start customer tests in 2026. Despite challenges like emission filters, safe hydrogen storage, and limited green hydrogen availability, initiatives from the European Union and the United States are working towards improving the situation. The transition to hydrogen combustion engines is seen as a positive step in lowering emissions while waiting for green hydrogen to become more accessible. Additionally, the familiarity of combustion engine technology makes it easier for fleet customers to handle in the short term. In conclusion, hydrogen combustion engines present a feasible and efficient solution for emission reduction in the trucking sector.