(Ismaning, Germany) – Volvo Trucks has begun road tests for heavy-duty trucks powered by hydrogen combustion engines. The company promises higher energy efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and more engine power than conventional hydrogen combustion technologies. The technology is based on "High Pressure Direct Injection" (HPDI). In this process, a small amount of propellant is injected at high pressure to initiate compression ignition before hydrogen is added. Volvo already uses this technology in its compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks.
Refueling a hydrogen-powered truck. © Volvo Trucks
Customers could use the hydrogen trucks like diesel vehicles, says Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management at Volvo Trucks. They are particularly suitable for long-haul transport and for regions where charging infrastructure is limited or where there is little time available to charge battery-electric vehicles. Powered by green hydrogen and supplemented with non-fossil diesel (HVO, Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) as a starting fuel, they would operate almost CO2-neutrally and be classified as "Zero Emission Vehicles" (ZEVs) under current EU regulations.
The hydrogen-powered trucks complemented Volvo Trucks' existing portfolio of low-emission and zero-emission drive options – including battery-electric trucks, fuel cell trucks and trucks powered by renewable fuels such as biogas and HVO.
Volvo Trucks plans to launch the vehicles in small numbers before 2030. “We see great potential for trucks with hydrogen combustion engines,” says Jan Hjelmgren. “Several technologies will be necessary for decarbonization.”
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Volvo Trucks plans to launch trucks with hydrogen combustion engines by 2030. © Volvo Trucks
