Commercial Hydrogen Engine with HPDI: Roadmap to High Efficiency, Zero CO2 and Zero Pollutants

Authors

A. Arnberger, AVL List GmbH, Graz; E. Olofsson, Scania AB, Södertälje; D. Mumford, Cespira, Vancouver, Canada

Year

2025

Print Info

Production/Publication ÖVK

Summary

Europe's commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050 is affecting the roadmap for CO₂ reduction in commercial vehicles. Starting in 2030, significantly stricter emissions targets for commercial vehicle fleets will be enforced. Simultaneously, the role of hydrogen internal combustion engines as a primary powertrain for Zero-CO₂-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) has been reconsidered: Commercial vehicles with combustion engines assessed at less than 3 gCO₂/t-km (by VECTO) will qualify as ZEVs, similarly to battery-electric and fuel cell electric trucks. 
Hydrogen, as a fuel for internal combustion engines in commercial applications, offers flexibility through either spark-ignited or high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) concepts. The HPDI concept, which operates on late-cycle direct injection, provides distinct advantages in power density, transient response, and thermal efficiency. Considering the importance of fuel efficiency in optimizing the total cost of ownership for heavy-duty vehicles, HPDI can emerge as a key technology for CO₂ reduction, especially under high-load operations, while maintaining the robustness required for commercial applications. 

Supported by test results and theoretical analyses from AVL, SCANIA and Cespira this study will provide a comprehensive roadmap for hydrogen late-cycle direct injection, with a focus on maximizing thermal efficiency as the first step, achieving zero CO₂ emissions as the second step, and implementing technical solutions to entirely eliminate criteria pollutant emissions as a possible final step.

ISBN

978-3-9504969-4-9

DOI

https://doi.org/10.62626/5qq1-kx3r Copy link

Order Members Login