Revolutionizing the Trucking Industry: Hydrogen Combustion Engines Set to Transform Long-Haul Freight
By Christina Amann and Nick Carey
BERLIN/LONDON (Multibagger) - In an innovative move to tackle the energy transition challenge, some of the world's leading truck manufacturers, including Volvo and MAN, are reengineering traditional combustion engines to run on low-emission hydrogen instead of diesel. This strategic pivot offers a cost-effective, expedient solution that breathes new life into existing technologies, presenting a game-changing opportunity for the trucking industry.
The Future of Trucking: A Balancing Act of Zero Emissions
The global trucking industry faces significant hurdles in achieving zero emissions. While electric batteries provide a clean alternative, their weight and lengthy charging times make them impractical for long-haul freight. Hydrogen fuel cells, on the other hand, offer extended range and reduced weight but require entirely new truck systems, resulting in high costs.
To bridge this gap, truck manufacturers and suppliers are focusing on developing hydrogen combustion engines. These engines can be produced using existing manufacturing lines, which have long been economic powerhouses in countries like Germany. This approach addresses immediate energy transition needs while preserving jobs in engine-making plants, a growing concern as the industry shifts towards battery and fuel cell options.
Industry Leaders Drive the Hydrogen Revolution
Reiner Roessner, Vice President of Sales at MAN Truck & Bus SE (part of Volkswagen's Traton unit), emphasizes the industry's collective effort, noting that demand for hydrogen combustion will surge as soon as green hydrogen becomes widely available. MAN's pilot project involves delivering around 200 hydrogen-powered trucks to European customers next year, marking a crucial step towards mass production.
Volvo AB, another major player, plans to test hydrogen combustion engine models starting in 2026, alongside their hydrogen fuel cell trucks anticipated to be commercially available in the latter half of this decade. According to Chief Technology Officer Lars Stenqvist, while hydrogen combustion engines won't dominate Volvo's sales, they will still account for a substantial volume.
Westport Fuel Systems, a Vancouver-based company, has already provided fueling systems for 6,000 combustion engine trucks in Europe running on biogas, which can be easily adapted to hydrogen. This adaptability underscores the practical benefits of hydrogen combustion technology.
Overcoming Challenges: Emissions, Infrastructure, and Safety
Despite the maturity of hydrogen combustion technology, several challenges remain. Unlike fuel cells, hydrogen combustion can produce harmful emissions, necessitating filters. Westport's current engine system uses a small percentage of diesel to ignite hydrogen, which will eventually be replaced with a carbon-free fuel.
Additionally, hydrogen trucks require larger, pressurized tanks, leading startups like Munich-based Keyou to explore new tank designs. Ensuring the safety of these tanks is paramount, given hydrogen's highly flammable nature.
The most significant challenge, however, is the limited availability of green hydrogen. Although the European Union and the United States are funding green hydrogen projects, alongside truck makers like Daimler and energy giants like BP, the rollout has been slow. Building sufficient fueling infrastructure will take years.
A Practical Solution for Today and Tomorrow
Despite these challenges, major suppliers like Bosch and Cummins have embraced hydrogen combustion engines due to their existing factories and supply chains. Bosch's Michael Krueger highlights the need for speed, validating the role of this technology.
Truckmakers across the globe, including Italy's Iveco Group and DAF (a European unit of U.S. truckmaker PACCAR), are also exploring hydrogen combustion options. Germany's Daimler recently unveiled two prototype hydrogen combustion engine vehicles, while U.S.-based Cummins plans to provide test models to customers in the coming years, aiming for a market-ready product within five years.
For an interim solution, some manufacturers propose using natural gas or biogas combustion engines, offering a lower-emission alternative to diesel. This approach allows fleet customers to gradually reduce carbon emissions while maintaining familiarity with combustion engine technology.
Breaking It Down: The Impact on Your Finances and Life
In simple terms, this article discusses how major truck manufacturers are working to make trucks run on hydrogen instead of diesel. This change is essential because it helps reduce harmful emissions, which is good for the environment. The process involves modifying existing engines, which is quicker and cheaper than developing entirely new systems.
For the average person, this means that the trucking industry, which plays a critical role in transporting goods, is moving towards cleaner energy. This transition could lead to more sustainable products and potentially lower costs in the long run as the technology becomes more widespread and efficient.
In summary, hydrogen combustion engines offer a practical, cost-effective solution for today's trucking industry, paving the way for a greener future while maintaining economic stability and job security.