At the "Hydrogen Motor Live" event hosted by the Alliance for Hydrogen Engines in 2023, MAHLE, along with other industry partners, presented innovative products related to hydrogen engines.
Arnd Franz, CEO of MAHLE, emphasized the major role of hydrogen in decarbonization and highlighted that hydrogen should be considered particularly in the transportation sector as an alternative to pure electric mobility. He stressed the need for a technology-agnostic competition to rapidly achieve climate neutrality.
Franz also advocated for the comprehensive utilization of the potential of hydrogen and renewable fuels in policy discussions concerning the EU's CO2 fleet targets for heavy commercial vehicles.
MAHLE believes in technological diversity and considers the climate-neutral green combustion engine, powered by non-fossil fuels like hydrogen, as a future technology for a sustainable propulsion mix. In addition to electromobility, including fuel cells and thermal management, MAHLE aims to harness the potential of all available propulsion technologies.
For years, MAHLE has been working on developments related to hydrogen engines, and soon the first products are set to enter production for use in construction and agricultural machinery. This is evidenced by an initial production order from the reputable engine manufacturer DEUTZ.
MAHLE will supply components for hydrogen engines, including power cell units such as pistons, piston ring sets, and piston pins. These components are expected to be integrated into stationary hydrogen engines starting from late 2024, with further applications in the off-highway sector such as construction and agricultural machinery.
To further drive the development of hydrogen engines, MAHLE opened a new testing center for hydrogen applications at its Stuttgart location in March 2021. In this testing center, engineers can develop and thoroughly test technologies for hydrogen engines and fuel cell drives.
Several reasons support the use of hydrogen:
Hydrogen engines pave the way for climate-neutral mobility. The combustion of hydrogen does not produce CO2 emissions. Hydrogen can be produced in a climate-neutral manner from renewable energy sources like solar and wind power, creating a closed loop.
Unlike battery electric vehicles with longer charging times, hydrogen vehicles can be refueled in just a few minutes. The process is similar to conventional combustion vehicles.
Hydrogen vehicles typically have a higher range than battery electric vehicles. This makes them more flexible, especially for long-distance travel or commercial vehicle use.
Hydrogen can be used not only in road transport but also in other areas such as maritime and aviation industries, as well as in industrial processes. This opens up numerous opportunities for reducing CO2 emissions across various sectors.
Hydrogen vehicles require a hydrogen refueling infrastructure. Establishing such a refueling network can also lay the foundation for supplying hydrogen to fuel cell vehicles, which also rely on hydrogen for propulsion.
Of course, hydrogen engines come with challenges alongside their numerous advantages. These challenges include climate-neutral hydrogen production, efficient storage, safety in handling, and the development of a high-performance and cost-effective infrastructure. Nonetheless, hydrogen engines are seen as a promising technology to accelerate the transition to climate-neutral mobility and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.
In hydrogen combustion, a challenge is finding the optimal balance between gas mixture and oil consumption. MAHLE has made specific adjustments for hydrogen combustion in engines, such as adapting and enhancing the aluminum piston and piston ring package from diesel technology. The reliability of these hydrogen components has already been successfully tested in various engine classes.
The future propulsion mix will consist of battery electric drives, hybrids, combustion engines, and hydrogen engines. Especially in commercial vehicles, the internal combustion engine will continue to play a dominant role globally. We prioritize utmost efficiency and operational safety in our products, thus offering competitive solutions for sustainable mobility.
The demand for experts in maintaining and repairing hydrogen vehicles and other propulsion types is expected to rise. Therefore, it's crucial for you and your repair shop to prepare for different propulsion technologies and continually expand your expertise. MAHLE provides numerous training opportunities in this regard.
If needed, we also offer customized workshops and training sessions.