The hydrogen engine under development is an 11l class engine that produces a power output of 300kW and a torque of 1,700Nm at 2,000RPM. It satisfies Tier 5 / Stage 5 / Euro 7 regulations which require the emission to be 90% reduced to the current level to meet Zero CO2 (below g/kwh) and Zero Impact Emission (Zero Emission in EU).

Hydrogen engines are powered by low purity hydrogen, making them durable, economical and energy dense, which makes them the most suitable engine system for mid to large sized vehicles and vehicles for long distances. A single charge of 10min enables a distance of up to 500km to be travelled, and they are said to be 25%-30% more economical than fuel cells or battery packs when vehicle price and maintenance costs are considered.

HDI plans to leverage its existing engine technology and facilities to reduce costs and accelerate commercialisation. The new hydrogen engines will be installed on commercial vehicles such as trucks and large buses, and construction equipment for validation by 2024, with full scale mass production being planned for 2025. HDI showcased various products including H2ICE, EV battery packs and plugin full hybrid powertrains at ConExpo-ConAgg.

HDI’s head of the Engine Department, Kim Joong-soo, said, “Hydrogen internal combustion engines will be used in mid to large sized commercial vehicles such as trucks, buses and construction equipment and mid to large sized power generators. We will put in the utmost effort to realise carbon neutrality in  response to the eco-friendly market by developing green hydrogen related technologies in line with increasingly strict carbon emission regulations.”