Volvo Begins On-Road Testing of Hydrogen Combustion Engine Heavy Trucks

Volvo Trucks has started on-road testing of heavy trucks equipped with hydrogen combustion engines as part of its strategy to achieve net-zero CO2 emissions in transport.

The trucks utilize High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) technology, which injects a small amount of ignition fuel at high pressure to enable compression ignition before hydrogen is added. Volvo has deployed this technology in over 10,000 gas-powered trucks globally.

According to Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management at Volvo Trucks, the hydrogen combustion engine trucks are designed to match diesel truck performance in fuel efficiency, power, torque, and drivability. The trucks offer operational range exceeding many customers' daily driving distances, making them particularly suitable for longer distances and regions with limited charging infrastructure.

When powered by green hydrogen with renewable HVO as ignition fuel, the trucks achieve net-zero CO2 on a well-to-wheel basis and are classified as "Zero Emission Vehicles" under EU CO2 emission standards.

The hydrogen combustion engine trucks complement Volvo's broader decarbonization portfolio, which includes battery-electric trucks, fuel-cell electric trucks, and trucks running on renewable fuels such as biogas and HVO. Volvo plans to launch fuel-cell electric trucks in low volumes before 2030.

Originally reported by Hydrogen Central. Read the full article →