As other companies have moved to decarbonize their fleets, Westport Fuel Systems Inc. unveiled its new H2HPDI fuel system, a hydrogen-based system designed for use in internal combustion engines. Westport will display its H2HPDI fuel system-equipped demonstrator truck at IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover, Germany, Sept. 20-25.
Although cost is still a prohibitive factor in the widespread adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles, Westport's new system will allow OEMs to continue using existing internal combustion engines with hydrogen, leveraging their investment in vehicle drivetrain design, supply chain, and manufacturing. Westport’s H2 HPDI fuel system provides the following benefits:
- Up to 20% more power than diesel
- Up to 18% more torque than diesel
- Near zero CO2 emissions
- Preserves existing diesel engine architecture
- Preserves existing engine manufacturing infrastructure and investment
- Lowest cost to achieve CO2 compliance
The hydrogen-powered H2 HPDI achieves greater performance improvements, leveraging Westport’s past experience with its LNG HPDI fuel system.
See also: Hydrogen’s uphill climb
“Westport’s H2 HPDI fuel system powering an internal combustion engine turns innovation into answers, creating sustainability we are very proud of,” said David Johnson, CEO, Westport Fuel Systems.
Westport’s LNG HPDI fuel system offers OEMs the flexibility to differentiate their natural gas and biogas product lines while maintaining full commonality with conventional engines and powertrain lines. An LNG HPDI fuel system-equipped engine, fueled with a blend of 60% natural gas including 40% biogas, delivers the same life cycle CO2 reductions as fuel cells using blue/green hydrogen blends. It can also deliver net zero well-to-wheels CO2 emissions, with 100% biogas, which is becoming the predominant fuel for LNG trucks in many parts of Europe. Additionally, Westport’s LNG HDPI is meant to meet or exceed the capabilities of spark-ignited H2 ICE systems, diesel engines, and fuel cells.
