Volvo Group and Westport Fuel Systems Inc. have celebrated their newly formed joint venture with an exclusive event at the University of British Columbia, the birthplace of Westport's HPDI fuel system technology.
HPDI, aka High-Pressure Direct Injection, is a fuel system used to reduce CO2 (carbon dioxide) in long-haul trucking and other high-load and off-road applications.
Nurtured for nearly 30 years within Westport, the two partners are now jointly promoting, developing, and further accelerating the commercialization of HPDI technology. In doing so, the JV will resolutely focus on moving forward with affordable, sustainable transportation solutions using the internal combustion engine (ICE) operating on renewable fuels now and hydrogen in the future.
The HPDI Fuel System is a revolutionary patented injector with a dual concentric needle design that delivers small quantities of diesel fuel and large quantities of natural gas at high pressure to the combustion chamber. The natural gas is injected at the end of the compression stroke.
“This joint venture is poised to make a significant impact on global long-haul and off-road heavy-duty applications,” stated Dan Sceli, the Chief Executive Officer and Director of Westport Fuel Systems and interim President of the Volvo/Westport JV (joint venture). “By combining Volvo’s extensive expertise in commercial vehicle and power system manufacturing with Westport’s innovative fuel system technology, we are creating a powerful force for change that can make a meaningful contribution to reducing carbon emissions immediately and affordably. Together, we are committed to delivering sustainable, efficient, and economically viable solutions for long-haul transportation.”
Leaders from both companies celebrated the milestone, emphasizing the significance of the partnership in driving forward the HPDI technology in tackling the urgent challenges of climate change.
“Today is a day of celebration as we join together to collectively advance this critically important clean transportation initiative,” said Lars Stenqvist, Chief Technology Officer of Volvo Group. “We believe HPDI-powered internal combustion engines, running on hydrogen and renewable fuels, play a crucial role in global decarbonization efforts in commercial transportation. The joint venture enables us to combine this innovative fuel system with our strategic expertise to guide OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) and fleets as they navigate the energy transition.”
Added Scott Baker, Vice President, Product Development and Technology Officer of the Volvo/Westport JV, “This is a momentous occasion for Westport and the HPDI technology. The alliance between our two companies affirms our steadfast commitment to driving decarbonization in the heavy-duty sector utilizing alternative fuels while still providing the efficiency, power, and durability that comes with diesel cycle engines.”
Baker continued, “Together, we will provide unparalleled expertise and counsel to customers around the globe on optimizing their existing CO2 reduction strategies, ultimately paving the way for a more sustainable future in heavy-duty transportation.”
Collaboration with transportation partners and end-users has led to the deployment of the HPDI system in thousands of Volvo trucks across Europe, underscoring its effectiveness in achieving carbon neutrality. Since the commercial release of HPDI in 2018, fleets have collectively avoided hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 emissions annually. This success demonstrates the immediate impact of integrating hydrogen and biogas technologies into existing infrastructure.
Headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, Westport has operations in Europe, Asia, North America, and South America, serving customers in over 70 countries with its leading global transportation brands. The company is a leading supplier of advanced fuel delivery components and systems for clean, low-carbon fuels such as natural gas, renewable natural gas, propane, and hydrogen to the global transportation industry. For more information, visit www.wfsinc.com.