Volvo to launch hydrogen-powered trucks by 2030
27 May 2024
Volvo Trucks is developing trucks with hydrogen fueled combustion engines. On-road tests with hydrogen-powered trucks using combustion engines will begin in 2026, and the commercial launch is planned towards the end of this decade.
Volvo hydrogen combustion engines will feature high pressure direct injection (HPDI), a technology where a small amount of diesel pilot is injected with high pressure to enable compression ignition of natural gas or hydrogen. The advantages of this technology include higher energy efficiency with lower fuel consumption, and increased engine power.
Volvo Group has signed an agreement with Westport Fuel Systems to establish a joint venture utilizing HPDI technology. The joint venture is anticipated to become operational in the second quarter of 2024, following formal closing. Volvo has been using the Westport HPDI fuel system in their Euro VI compliant FH LNG and FM LNG trucks with 13 L engines, which went on sale in 2018.
Trucks that run on green hydrogen instead of fossil fuels provide one way to decarbonize transport, Volvo said. Hydrogen trucks would be especially suitable over longer distances and in regions where there is limited charging infrastructure or time for recharging of batteries.
Hydrogen combustion engine powertrains are categorized as “zero emission vehicles” (ZEV) under the new EU CO2 emission standards. Trucks with combustion engines powered by green hydrogen have the potential to deliver net zero CO2 well-to-wheel when using renewable diesel (hydrotreated vegetable oil, HVO) as ignition fuel, Volvo noted.
Volvo will begin customer tests with trucks using hydrogen combustion engines in 2026, and the trucks will be commercially available towards the end of this decade.
The hydrogen-powered combustion engine trucks will complement Volvo’s offering of other alternatives, such as battery electric trucks, fuel cell electric trucks and trucks that run on renewable fuels, such as biogas and HVO, the company said.
Source: Volvo Trucks