Europe brings its first hydrogen engine to market, but it’s surprisingly big. This type of engine is not a new concept. In fact, we have already seen other models on the market, such as the new liquid hydrogen engine. The use of hydrogen as a fuel is currently one of the most promising prospects, along with electric cars.
Authorities on the continent are seeking to ban the sale of fossil fuel vehicles, so users must turn to other means of transport.
While the 100% electric vehicle has high expectations among potential buyers, it still faces several challenges that make hydrogen another viable sustainable fuel option.
L’IA met au point un nouvel aimant permanent “innovant” exempt de terres rares
The first hydrogen truck arrives in Europe
The German company MAN has launched Europe’s first hydrogen truck, the hTGX, with a range of 600 km. It is a discrete series of trucks powered by a hydrogen combustion engine (based on existing technology, but using green fuel). The engine is derived from an existing diesel engine, but has been adapted to use hydrogen and significantly reduce emissions.
Man hTGX aims to be an environmentally friendly option, in the same way as battery-electric trucks in areas where there is no quality charging infrastructure or in markets where there is not enough electricity. hydrogen available.
The series won’t be very big. According to initial plans, it will be limited to 200 trucks which will be delivered to customers in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland and other countries outside Europe. The first MAN hydrogen trucks are expected to be delivered from 2025.
MAN is convinced that the hydrogen combustion engine is an excellent solution for special applications where there is no space for a battery on the chassis due to the need to work on the truck body. This is the case, for example, for multi-axle trucks intended for the transport of special goods, such as tanks, wood or construction materials.
Europe implements hydrogen engine in trucks
TheMAN hTGX will dazzle in several versions: 6×2 and 6×4, with a range of up to 600 kilometers and a tank that can hold 56 kilograms at a pressure of 700 bars.
Another advantage is its refueling time: less than 15 minutes to refuel. The hydrogen engine used is called H4 and its technology is based on the proven D38 6-cylinder diesel engine.
Europe’s first hydrogen engine: characteristics
This hydrogen engine delivers a power of 520 hp (383 kW) and a torque of 2,500 Nm between 900 and 1,300 rpm. According to the manufacturer, it emits “less than 1 g of CO2/tkm”, which allows it to meet the criteria for a “zero-emission vehicle” according to the new European legislation on CO2.
The German brand clarified that, despite this launch, it would continue to give priority to battery-electric trucks. In addition to the application of the hydrogen engine to trucks, MAN also plans to test internal combustion of hydrogen in other land and sea solutions, within its MAN Engines division.
The manufacturer also notes that this is a good solution to implement in vehicles such as snowplows, non-electrified trains, excavators or cranes. In short, Europe has already unveiled its first hydrogen engine and has big plans for it: will it surprise as much as the hydrogen-electric engine?