Volvo Trucks begins road testing hydrogen combustion trucks

Volvo Trucks has begun on-road testing of heavy trucks powered by hydrogen combustion engines, with a commercial launch planned before 2030. The vehicles use High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) technology developed by Cespira, in which a small amount of ignition fuel is injected at high pressure to enable compression ignition before hydrogen is introduced — an approach Volvo already applies in its gas-powered trucks, of which more than 10,000 units have been sold globally.

The truckmaker said the hydrogen combustion trucks will deliver higher energy efficiency and greater engine power than conventional hydrogen combustion engine technology, with an operational range it says will exceed many customers’ daily driving distance. When running on green hydrogen with renewable HVO as ignition fuel, the trucks have the potential to achieve net-zero CO2 on a well-to-wheel basis. Under agreed EU CO2 emission standards, they are classified as zero emission vehicles (ZEVs).

The hydrogen combustion trucks form part of Volvo Trucks’ three-path decarbonisation strategy alongside battery-electric and fuel cell electric powertrains. The company also plans to launch fuel cell electric trucks in low volumes before 2030.

In a statement, Jan Hjelmgren, Head of Product Management at Volvo Trucks, said: “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.”

Source: Volvo Trucks