Keyou unveils an 18-ton truck with a hydrogen combustion engine

The drive system of the vehicle presented by Keyou is based on a diesel engine platform. The core component is the Keyou-Inside System, which the provider aims to use in the future primarily to retrofit existing vehicles. Since 2015, the Munich start-up has been developing hydrogen-specific technologies, components, and combustion processes that enable conventional combustion engines to be transformed into zero-emission hydrogen engines. The result was a hydrogen engine developed on a diesel engine platform.

Now, the Munich start-up has unveiled two prototype vehicles based on this 7.8-liter hydrogen engine – an 18-ton truck and a 12-meter bus. The truck is based on a Daimler Actros chassis. The integration work began in January 2022, according to the announcement. It was carried out by Paul Nutzfahrzeuge in Vilshofen.

After the marriage

Following the "marriage" – the integration of the engine into the vehicle – initial test drives are now planned near Munich. The individual approval for the demonstration vehicle is expected to be completed by summer, according to Keyou. After that, the 18-ton truck will be allowed to drive on public roads for demonstration purposes. The project is financially supported by the European Innovation Council (EIC).

With the 12-meter city bus, which is based on the chassis of a diesel bus, the Munich start-up is presenting another zero-emission vehicle with a hydrogen engine. Its development and construction are being supported by the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs. Paul Nutzfahrzeuge is also responsible for the integration work here. Both prototype vehicles will be showcased live for the first time at the IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover.

"With our prototype vehicles, we are demonstrating that the technology of the hydrogen engine also works practically and represents a cost-efficient and robust alternative to battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles," explains Keyou CEO and co-founder Thomas Korn.

Close to Diesel, but without expensive SCR technology

The manufacturer praises its engine as being close to diesel, but CO₂-free and without expensive exhaust gas aftertreatment. The majority of fleet operator vehicles still consist of classic diesel trucks and buses. To be on par with these, vehicles with hydrogen engines would have to meet numerous parameters. With its hydrogen engines, Keyou aims to bridge the gap between zero emissions and cost-effectiveness. The company promises range potentials of over 500 kilometers. The engine delivers a power output of 210 kW. In the WHTC reference cycles, it stays below the limit values. According to the company, the Zero Emission CO₂ limits defined by the EU are also exceeded, and the Euro 6 emission standard is met even without exhaust gas aftertreatment.

“Here we see the greatest leverage for the hydrogen engine or vehicles with hydrogen engines,” Korn is convinced.

Because the technology is not only durable, robust, and independent of rare earths, but it also offers – especially in terms of total cost consideration – a diesel-equivalent cost structure for the end customer. The adjustments to the underlying base engine are minimal.

“So you can say: Customers get a zero-emission vehicle at diesel-equivalent operating costs without having to make compromises,” Korn advertises.