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As early as 2025, the commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus plans to launch a small series of so-called hydrogen combustion engines. The emissions-free truck, called the "MAN hTGX," is primarily intended for special operations and complements the battery-electric portfolio. Initially, around 200 units are to be delivered to customers in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, as well as selected non-European countries. The vehicle is based on the TG vehicle series.
The vehicle is an alternative zero-emission drive variant for special applications, such as the transport of heavy goods – for example, in construction use, tank transport, or timber transport. The applications require a particular axle configuration or do not offer space for batteries on the frame due to necessary mountings. Also, for use in areas without adequate charging infrastructure or for markets where sufficient hydrogen is already available today, the “hTGX” can be an environmentally friendly alternative to battery-electric trucks.
“To decarbonize road freight transport, our focus remains on battery-electric vehicles. These currently have clear advantages in energy efficiency and operating and energy costs compared to other drive concepts. However, trucks powered by hydrogen combustion engines are a sensible addition for specific applications and markets,” said Friedrich Baumann, member of the Board of MAN Truck & Bus SE and responsible for Sales & Customer Solution.
It is expected that in the future, the majority of customers' transport applications can be served with battery-electric trucks, Baumann continued. For special applications, however, hydrogen combustion or future fuel cell technologies are also suitable as a complement.
The hydrogen combustion engine "H45" is based on the D38 diesel engine and is produced at the engine and battery plant in Nuremberg. The use of well-known technology allows for an early market entry and thus provides a boost for the ramp-up of the hydrogen infrastructure.
Initially, the "MAN hTGX" is planned to come in 6x2 and 6x4 axle variants with ranges of up to 600 kilometers. The utilized H45 hydrogen internal combustion engine with direct hydrogen injection into the engine boasts a power output of 383 kW or 520 horsepower and a torque of 2500 Nm at 900-1300 rpm. The vehicle is refueled in less than 15 minutes with hydrogen compressed to 700 bar (CG H2) and a tank capacity of 56 kilograms. The MAN hTGX aims to meet the criteria of a "Zero-Emission Vehicle" with less than 1g CO2/tkm as per the new planned EU CO2 legislation.
"The new regulation of CO2 standards at the EU level will classify trucks with hydrogen internal combustion engines as 'Zero-Emission Vehicles.' This means that such vehicles will fully contribute to our CO2 fleet targets, which among other things opens the door for this small series complementing the battery-electric range," said Dr. Frederik Zohm, Board Member for Research and Development. "At the same time, customers will benefit, depending on the country, from corresponding toll reductions, for example."
Hydrogen Combustion Engines with Tradition
MAN possesses decades of experience in the use of hydrogen as a fuel at its Nuremberg site. MAN Truck & Bus showcased the first bus with a hydrogen drive at the Hannover Fair in 1996. The city bus of type SL 202 was powered by a natural gas engine modified for hydrogen operation. Following the Hannover Fair, the vehicle underwent a nine-month testing phase in Erlangen, during which it covered 13,000 kilometers and transported 60,000 passengers. In 1997, the bus ultimately moved to Munich, where it was successfully used in regular service. In 1998, three articulated buses for Munich Airport followed, which were used until 2008, and between 2006 and 2009, another 14 buses with hydrogen drive were added.
The H2 fuel cell technology is also in further preparation at MAN. However, the company states that it will still be several years before the technology is truly market-ready and competitive.
Translated automatically from German.
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