Volvo has begun on-road testing of heavy trucks powered by hydrogen combustion engines, representing another step in the company’s global approach to decarbonizing transport. The commercial launch of Volvo’s hydrogen solution is planned in Europe before 2030.
Volvo’s hydrogen-powered trucks are being developed to deliver higher energy efficiency, lower fuel consumption, and greater engine power than conventional hydrogen combustion engines. This is due to High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI), a technology in which a small amount of ignition fuel is injected at high pressure to enable compression ignition before hydrogen is added. Volvo is already using this technology in its gas-powered trucks, with more than 10,000 units utilizing HPDI sold globally.
“On-road testing is an important milestone for our hydrogen combustion engine trucks. I feel confident they will be the best in the industry in terms of fuel efficiency, power, torque, and drivability. Customers will be able to operate them just like diesel trucks. Our experience with HPDI technology in more than 10,000 gas-powered trucks is strong proof of its performance,” says Jan Hjelmgren, head of product management at Volvo Trucks.
Hydrogen combustion-engine trucks will be especially suitable for longer distances and in regions with limited charging infrastructure or limited time for recharging battery-electric trucks. Volvo trucks with combustion engines powered by green hydrogen have the potential to deliver net-zero CO2 well-to-wheel when using renewable HVO as the ignition fuel.
This reflects Volvo Trucks’ three-path approach to decarbonization—battery-electric trucks, fuel-cell electric trucks, and trucks powered by renewable fuels such as biogas and HVO—ensuring customers can select the right technology based on their operations, infrastructure, and sustainability goals.
“We see great potential for hydrogen combustion engine trucks, and they will have a role to play in the transformation to zero tailpipe emission transport. Several technologies will be needed to decarbonize. As a global truck manufacturer, we offer a variety of decarbonization solutions and help our customers choose the best alternative based on transport assignment, available infrastructure, and green energy prices,” said Hjelmgren.
Volvo’s advanced hydrogen engine technology is derived from its diesel powertrain, delivering diesel-like performance while substantially cutting CO2 emissions. The hydrogen-powered combustion engine trucks will complement the company’s broader portfolio of solutions to support the transition to zero-tailpipe-emission transport across global markets. Regulatory classifications and incentives for hydrogen-powered vehicles vary by region, including in North America. A large-scale deployment of hydrogen-powered trucks will require the rollout of hydrogen fuel infrastructure and competitive hydrogen prices.
Volvo Trucks with hydrogen-combustion engine – facts:
- Volvo Trucks’ hydrogen-powered trucks will use the fuel-efficient HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection) technology from Cespira, www.cespira.com.
- Hydrogen-powered Volvo trucks will have an operational range exceeding many customers’ daily driving distances.
- Emissions performance and regulatory classification will depend on regional standards and energy sources.
- Hydrogen can also be used to power fuel-cell electric trucks, in which electricity is produced on board. Fuel cell electric trucks do not emit any tailpipe emissions, only water vapor.
- Volvo Trucks’ three-path strategy to reach net-zero emissions comprises battery-electric, fuel-cell electric, and combustion-engine vehicles powered by renewable fuels, ensuring flexibility for customers across regions, including North America, as infrastructure and energy ecosystems evolve.
