Volvo Trucks Announces Plans for Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Trucks
Key Ideas
  • Volvo Trucks plans to build trucks with internal combustion engines running on hydrogen, with testing beginning in 2026 and commercial launch expected later this decade.
  • The hydrogen internal combustion engines will have the same performance and reliability as diesel trucks, with very low CO2 emissions and quick fueling comparable to diesel.
  • Volvo emphasizes the need for a variety of decarbonization solutions in heavy transport and highlights the benefits of its high-pressure direct injection technology over fuel cells.
  • The company has partnered with Westport Fuel Systems to utilize HPDI technology for the hydrogen internal combustion engines, with the joint venture starting in the second quarter of this year.
Volvo Trucks has revealed its plans to develop trucks equipped with internal combustion engines that run on hydrogen. The company is set to commence testing of these hydrogen-powered trucks in 2026, with a commercial launch expected later in the decade. According to Jan Hjelmgren, head of product management and quality at Volvo Trucks, these trucks will offer the same performance and reliability as their diesel counterparts, but with the added advantage of significantly low CO2 emissions. The hydrogen internal combustion engines will also offer quick fueling times comparable to diesel, making them a promising option for sustainable heavy transport. Volvo Trucks is already conducting tests on this innovative technology, highlighting its commitment to exploring diverse decarbonization solutions for the transportation sector. The engines will feature high-pressure direct injection technology, providing benefits such as higher energy efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and increased engine power compared to fuel cells. Volvo has formed a joint venture with Westport Fuel Systems to leverage HPDI technology in these hydrogen internal combustion engines, with the collaboration expected to begin in the second quarter of the current year. This strategic partnership aims to further enhance the development and deployment of environmentally friendly hydrogen-powered trucks in the coming years.
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