Westport, Volvo begin on-road tests of hydrogen HPDI

Executive Summary

• Westport Fuel Systems Inc.'s joint venture, Cespira, has entered into on-road testing of heavy-duty trucks with Volvo, utilizing Cespira's Hydrogen HPDI™ fuel system technology.
• Volvo plans to launch these hydrogen-powered heavy-duty trucks commercially prior to 2030.
• The technology is positioned as a zero-carbon solution that delivers nearly 100% CO2 reductions compared to diesel while allowing OEMs to leverage existing engine architectures and manufacturing investments.

Key Details

• Partnership: Westport Fuel Systems Inc. (via its joint venture Cespira) is collaborating with Volvo for on-road testing.
• Technology: Cespira's Hydrogen HPDI™ fuel system is being used to power heavy-duty trucks.
• Commercial Timeline: Volvo has indicated a commercial launch is planned for before 2030.
• Performance Metrics: The system delivers best-in-class power, torque, and efficiency.
• Environmental Impact: Delivers nearly 100% CO2 reductions over diesel-fuelled trucks; capable of being classified as a zero-emissions vehicle under EU CO2 emissions standards.
• Technical Basis: The hydrogen-powered HPDI system uses fundamentally the same platform as the well-established LNG/bioLNG system, which is currently used in over 10,000 Volvo LNG trucks worldwide, requiring only small variations for hydrogen use.
• Strategic Advantage: Allows OEMs to preserve existing engine architecture, leverage existing engineering talent, utilize installed investments, and build on decades of technology development in vehicle powertrain design, supply chain, and manufacturing.
• Fuel Flexibility: Hydrogen can be produced from various feedstocks, including green hydrogen created from water, supporting energy security and independence.

Notable Quotes

• "On-road testing is a key milestone in demonstrating that Cespira's hydrogen HPDI fuel system is a cost-effective solution that operates on a zero-carbon fuel while delivering best-in-class power, torque and efficiency," said Dan Sceli, chief executive officer of Westport.
• "Hydrogen use in an internal combustion engine with Cespira's HPDI fuel system delivers nearly 100-per-cent CO2 reductions over diesel fuelled trucks while allowing OEMs to preserve their existing engine architecture, leverage existing engineering talent and experience, installed investments, and decades of technology development in vehicle powertrain design, supply chain and manufacturing."