Hydrogen Combustion Finding Favor
Volvo and MAN, among other major truck manufacturers, are developing hydrogen combustion engines as a low-emission alternative to diesel.
Reuters reports this approach aims to use existing production lines, providing a quicker and cheaper path toward reducing emissions. The industry faces challenges with battery-electric trucks, which are too heavy for long-haul freight and take a long time to charge, while hydrogen fuel cells, although lighter, require new vehicle systems.
MAN plans to test around 200 hydrogen-powered trucks with European customers next year, while Volvo aims to start customer trials in 2026. Hydrogen combustion engines can be integrated into existing manufacturing processes, preserving jobs and leveraging current infrastructure. Cummins is focusing on a fuel-agnostic engine family that share common components.
However, these engines can still produce emissions, requiring additional filtering. The need for larger pressurized hydrogen tanks also presents safety challenges. A significant obstacle is the limited availability of green hydrogen, which is necessary for the full transition to low-emission vehicles. Some manufacturers are considering using natural gas or biogas as interim solutions, which can later transition to hydrogen.
The European Union and the United States are funding the development of green hydrogen infrastructure, but progress is slow. Despite these challenges, hydrogen combustion engines offer an immediate step toward reducing emissions using familiar technology and existing production capabilities.
This article was co-written using AI and was then heavily edited and optimized by our editorial team.
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