A new hydrogen engine for heavy trucks has been developed in China
FAW Jiefang's plant in Xito announced a major breakthrough in hydrogen technology, as reported by Zamin.uz.
The company's newly developed CA6HV3 internal combustion engine, designed for heavy-duty vehicles, successfully passed state environmental inspections. This technological innovation is considered a significant step toward reducing reliance on traditional diesel fuel and sharply cutting harmful emissions released into the atmosphere.
According to the manufacturers, the device is among the world's first hydrogen-powered engines built on the principle of causing absolutely no harm to the environment. During operation, it emits no carbon dioxide, and the levels of other harmful substances are nearly zero.
The engine's main advantage lies in its extremely low nitrogen oxide levels. Currently, nitrogen oxide emissions are considered the primary drawback of hydrogen engines, but in this model, the indicator amounts to only five percent of the permissible standard in effect.
Engineers stated that they are preparing for even stricter environmental requirements expected in the future. During testing, the engine demonstrated not only ecological cleanliness but also high performance.
A forty-nine-ton truck equipped with this unit traveled over one hundred thousand kilometers under real road conditions, proving the new power unit's reliability under heavy loads.
Another important feature of the new engine is that it does not require a complete redesign of the truck's structure. Its dimensions and design are compatible with existing diesel engines.
This allows for the installation of the hydrogen engine without modifying the cooling system or other components, significantly reducing the costs associated with transitioning to hydrogen transport.
At present, hydrogen technologies are developing in two directions: fuel cells for electric motors and hydrogen internal combustion engines.
The latter is particularly suitable for heavy-duty trucks, construction equipment, locomotives, and ships, as these sectors require high power, long-distance capability, and the ability to use existing production bases—factors of great importance.
The Chinese government has included this technology in its hydrogen energy development program. The company plans to launch mass production of the engine in the near future.
This will contribute to the formation of an environmentally clean freight transport system in the region and on the global market.
