Volvo is serious about hydrogen. We are in the world of trucks: the Swedish manufacturer has in fact announced that the development of trucks equipped with hydrogen-powered combustion engines is currently underway. Not only that, because the same company has also provided the first official times relating to its project: first road tests by 2026and commercial launch of the vehicles towards the end of this decade.
First road tests in 2026
Meanwhile, Volvo is content to carry out tests in the laboratory and on vehicles. All future vehicles with hydrogen-fueled combustion engines will be equipped with High Pressure Direct Injection, or HPDI: we are talking about a technology that involves the injection of a small amount of fuel at high pressure to allow compression ignition before the addition of hydrogen. The advantages of this technology are multiple: one above all, one greater energy efficiency with lower fuel consumption and greater engine power.
Volvo focuses on hydrogen trucks…
“Trucks where the traditional internal combustion engine remains, but runs on hydrogen, will have the shas the same performance and reliability as our diesel vehiclesbut with the added benefit of potentially zero CO2 emissions from well to wheel – explained Jan Hjelmgren, Product Management and Quality Manager at Volvo Trucks – They will be a valid complement to our battery electric trucks, which have been on the market for several years.”
…but not only
In this sense, the Volvo Group has signed an agreement with Westport Fuel Systems for the creation of a joint venture using HPDI technology: this company is expected to become operational in the second quarter of this year, after formal closure. “It is clear that different types of technology are needed to decarbonise heavy transport – concluded Hjelmgren – As a global truck manufacturer, we need to support customers by offering a variety of decarbonization solutions, and customers can choose their alternative based on transport allocation, available infrastructure and green energy prices.”
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