Hydrogen engines are less efficient than fuel
cells, so vehicles using them will require more H2 to travel the same distance.
But proponents say the
hydrogen engines are cheaper to buy and easier to maintain than fuel cells —
which are more easily contaminated by dirt and dust, and require very
high-purity H2 to run.
Indeed, in an opinion
piece published by Hydrogen Insight in March 2023, analyst Jamie Fox argued
that off-road applications such as tractors and mining vehicles “might be a
more natural fit†for H2 engines than trucks.
Other manufacturers, including US-based Cummins,
German engine maker Deutz and South Korea’s Hyundai Doosan Infracore, are also
developing hydrogen engines, with the US company explaining that internal combustion engines are
suitable for trucking fleets as they are “a familiar technology to operate,
maintain, troubleshoot and serviceâ€.
The manufacturer first
announced plans to develop a hydrogen engine in May last year, before
presenting a Ligier race car fitted with a three-litre H2 engine at the Le Mans
24-hour race in June.