Volvo Trucks has announced that it is developing trucks with combustion engines that run on hydrogen, and the on-road tests will commence in 2026.
Depending on the success of these tests, a commercial launch is expected to see fruition by the end of this decade.
Trucks that run on green hydrogen provide a significant step for Volvo to achieve its net-zero goal and support customers in reaching their decarbonization targets. Trucks that run on green hydrogen are a way to decarbonize transport.
Hydrogen trucks will be especially suitable over longer distances and in regions where there is limited charging infrastructure or time for recharging batteries.
Volvo said it will begin customer tests with trucks using hydrogen in combustion engines in 2026, and the trucks will be commercially available towards the end of this decade. Already, testing in labs and vehicles is ongoing.
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 like biogas and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil).
“Trucks, where the traditional internal combustion engine remains but runs on hydrogen, will have the same performance and reliability as our diesel trucks, but with the added benefit of potentially net zero CO2 emissions well-to-wheel. They will be a valuable complement to our battery electric trucks, which have been on the market for several years,” explained Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management and Quality at Volvo Trucks.
Volvo trucks with combustion engines powered by green hydrogen have the potential to deliver net zero carbon dioxide (CO2) well-to-wheel when using renewable HVO as ignition fuel and are categorized as “Zero Emission Vehicles” (ZEV) under the agreed-upon new EU CO2 emission standards.
“It’s clear that several kinds of technology are needed to decarbonize heavy transport. As a global truck manufacturer, we need to support our customers by offering a variety of decarbonization solutions, and customers can choose their alternative based on transport assignment, available infrastructure, and green energy prices,” noted Hjelmgren.
Volvo trucks with hydrogen-powered combustion engines will feature High-Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI), a technology where a small amount of ignition fuel is injected with high pressure to enable compression ignition before hydrogen is added. The advantages of this technology include higher energy efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and increased engine power.
The 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 its formal closing.