Two 13-liter engines compatible with renewable diesel and gas fuel, including future hydrogen applications, have been introduced to the market. Both are based on Volvo Trucks‘ latest in-house-developed engine platform.

The combustion engine remains an important part of the company’s driveline strategy, and Volvo says its new engine range is designed to deliver increased power, improved fuel efficiency, lower emissions and noise levels, and enhanced driveability. The engine platform is ready for alternative fuels such as biodiesel/B100, HVO, biogas/bio-LNG and green hydrogen.

The D13 engine will offer 380-560hp of power and 1,800-2,900Nm of torque. It can reportedly deliver up to 4% lower fuel consumption than the D13 eSCR engine it replaces. This is based on simulations of a 500hp Volvo FH 42 T with a GCW of 35 metric tons.

The second 13-liter engine, the G13, offers 420-500hp and 2,400-2,800Nm of torque.

“Not only are these all-new engines our most fuel-efficient powertrains ever, but they will also take our combustion engine into the future,” said Jan Hjelmgren, head of product management at Volvo Trucks. “The flexibility and readiness for all existing diesel and gas fuels – but also future hydrogen applications – mean that we can offer efficient trucks with the possibility of net zero emissions to all our customers globally.”

According to Volvo, the new platform comes with refined engine brake functionality for increased driveability, along with new cylinder and turbo designs and an updated version of the company’s I-Shift transmission. The diesel and gas versions will both reportedly offer significantly higher levels of torque.

Many variants of the diesel version of the new engine are compatible with Volvo Trucks’ I-Roll with engine stop/start functionality, enabling drivers to save fuel by turning off the engine and rolling downhill.

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Toyota Motor North America has entered a definitive agreement with Hyroad Energy to deploy 40 hydrogen fuel cell Class 8 commercial trucks in Southern California.

Under the agreement, Hyroad will provide trucks, maintenance, data and software services to support Toyota’s logistics operations. Toyota will supply hydrogen fuel through its own refueling infrastructure, currently under development in Ontario, California.

The two companies are bringing together the interconnected pieces that a functioning hydrogen trucking ecosystem requires, including vehicles, software and fuel supply, under a single commercial framework.

“Accelerating the hydrogen economy requires collaboration, and Toyota is proud to work with Hyroad to move the heavy-duty sector forward,” said Jason Zahorik, general manager, Toyota Hydrogen Solutions. “By bringing the critical elements together, we’re demonstrating how fuel cells create tangible value across supply chains while advancing a foundational pillar of the hydrogen economy. With hydrogen, we share a vision for cleaner, more powerful and more energy independent mobility.”

Toyota is investing in the hydrogen value chain, including fuel cell development and refueling infrastructure and says it sees commercial trucking as a “critical proving ground for that ecosystem at scale”. For instance, in keeping supply and demand moving at a rapid pace, a fuel cell Class 8 truck is able to take up to 70kg of hydrogen on board.

Like a diesel semi-truck, a fuel cell Class 8 takes about 15-20 minutes to fill and has an approximate driving range of up to 500 miles between fill-ups. Unlike a diesel truck, however, the only local emission from a hydrogen-powered truck is water vapor.

Hyroad’s full-service model covers the truck, maintenance and fleet management software under a bundled commercial structure, removing the operational complexity that has historically slowed adoption of alternative-fuel commercial vehicles. As an OEM-agnostic operator rather than a manufacturer, Hyroad’s role is to assemble the pieces, such as vehicles from multiple sources, hydrogen supply, truck maintenance and software, and form a solution fleets can actually use.

“Toyota has done exactly what great allies do — they’ve brought genuine hydrogen expertise to the table and made thoughtful, strategic decisions,” said Dmitry Serov, founder and CEO of Hyroad Energy. “They’re not waiting for someone else to build this ecosystem. They’re investing in it directly, and that’s what makes this meaningful. When fueling, vehicles, software and operational commitment all come together, hydrogen trucking works.”

The announcement of the Hyroad agreement took place at the 2026 Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo. During its Hydrogen Workshop keynote at the event, Toyota outlined several hydrogen initiatives, including a fuel supply agreement with Air Liquide for its North American Parts Center California campus, where hydrogen fueling will begin later this year.

The company also highlighted its recent announcement that the company had achieved ANSI/CSA certification for its stationary fuel cell generators, and reiterated its dedication to the continued development of its Gen 3 fuel cell stacks for applications ranging from passenger vehicles and construction equipment to stationary power systems and heavy-duty trucks.

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Hyundai Motor and the Georgia Institute of Technology have expanded their collaboration to advance hydrogen-powered transportation, deepen applied research and education and accelerate the use of zero-emissions vehicles in Georgia, bringing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and fueling infrastructure to campus.

“Hyundai Motor Group is proud to strengthen our collaboration with Georgia Tech as we work together to accelerate the future of clean mobility. Georgia Tech’s leadership in innovation and its commitment to developing the next generation of problem-solvers make it a natural partner in advancing technologies. By combining the university’s excellent research with Hyundai’s global experience, we are creating the foundation for real-world solutions that will help drive the energy transition and inspire future mobility leaders,” said Ken Ramírez, executive vice president and head of global energy and hydrogen business at Hyundai Motor Group.

“It’s very fulfilling to donate a handful of our Nexo fuel cell SUVs as part of our expanding relationship with Georgia Tech. Hydrogen-powered Nexo fuel cell vehicles will immediately serve to expand the clean mobility footprint on campus while providing real-world experiences with the cutting edge of zero-emissions transportation technology,” added Randy Parker, president and CEO, Hyundai Motor North America.

The partnership includes the donation of four Hyundai Nexo fuel cell electric SUVs by Hyundai Motor North America and a hydrogen electrolyzer project, which will be installed at Georgia Tech’s North Avenue Research Area (NARA), positioning Georgia Tech as one of the most visible real-world testbeds for hydrogen mobility in the US.

“Georgia Tech has a long history of working with industry to move breakthrough technologies from the lab into the real world. By expanding our work with Hyundai, we’re advancing hydrogen research, reducing emissions on our campus, and strengthening Georgia’s role in the future of clean mobility,” commented Ángel Cabrera, president of the Georgia Institute of Technology.

The vehicles and infrastructure will support campus operations and interdisciplinary research. Key areas of focus include exploring hydrogen-based systems and mobility solutions, assessing the environmental benefits of hydrogen technologies, understanding the integration of hydrogen fuel cells into current infrastructure and evaluating the regulatory and social implications of hydrogen adoption.

Insights gathered from this initiative will inform and accelerate the widespread use of hydrogen technology in campuses, fleets, cities and freight corridors.

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Toyota Hydrogen Solutions has announced that its fuel cells have earned ANSI/CSA FC 1 and ANSI/CSA FC 6 certification.

The certifications validate the specific safety and compliance standards set forth by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and CSA Group, a worldwide standards organization based in Canada.

“With our stationary Toyota fuel cell earning ANSI/CSA FC 1 and FC 6 certifications, there’s now a significantly lower barrier to adoption [of stationary power generator applications],” said Thibaut de Barros Conti, vice president of Toyota Hydrogen Solutions. “These rigorous certifications should put customers at ease when it comes time for their businesses to make investments into more environmentally conscious power generation.”

Hydrogen fuel cells provide an alternative to traditional combustion power generation, with potentially lower environmental impact, depending on how the hydrogen is produced. They work by combining gaseous hydrogen and oxygen in an electrochemical process to produce electricity, resulting in only water vapor as exhaust.

Stationary fuel cell power generators are often allowed to operate with fewer restrictions than traditional internal combustion generators, given they create no carbon emissions at the point of use and produce fewer sound emissions. As fuel cells are often allowed to operate without interruption as long as there’s a fuel source, they can help with peak shaving – augmenting the electrical grid – or even serve as a remote power source in areas not connected to a grid, such as disaster response sites or remote facilities.

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Mahle Powertrain has achieved a major milestone in Project Cavendish, successfully converting a 13-liter heavy-duty engine to run purely on hydrogen. The converted engine has matched the maximum torque of the diesel baseline engine, and measured engine-out NOX suggests that emissions can be readily maintained below 0.2g/kWh across the entire engine operating map using existing aftertreatment technology.

Launched in early 2023, Project Cavendish is a £9.8m (US$13.2m) program supported by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC) to develop end-to-end hydrogen powertrain capability for heavy-duty applications and enable the UK’s transition to net zero transportation. As part of the project, Mahle Powertrain has upgraded its testing infrastructure in Northampton for hydrogen operation.

“This milestone demonstrates that hydrogen combustion has a place as a clean fuel in the heavy-duty market,” said Jonathan Hall, head of research and advanced engineering at Mahle Powertrain. “Achieving the target torque and low raw engine-out emissions from a hydrogen-fueled 13-liter heavy-duty engine represents a significant step forward, both for Mahle Powertrain and for the wider industry, as we move toward practical hydrogen combustion solutions for heavy-duty applications.”

Achieving target torque is just the first step, says Mahle; the bigger challenge in hydrogen combustion is controlling NOX emissions. The measured raw engine-out emissions of its converted engine are very low and the addition of a simple selective catalytic reduction (SCR) aftertreatment system will enable the tailpipe emissions to be significantly less than EU VII limits. The measured particulate emissions were negligible and readily manageable using existing particulate filter technology. The results demonstrate that hydrogen combustion engines offer a practical, fast-to-market pathway toward zero-carbon heavy-duty transportation.

Project Cavendish also aims to facilitate wider hydrogen adoption by creating opportunities for external partners to undertake hydrogen engine testing at Mahle Powertrain’s facility in Northampton. The site serves as a center of excellence for the design, development, calibration and testing of all aspects of hydrogen and renewable-fuel powertrain engineering. Mahle Powertrain has reported growing interest from new customers and expects commercialization of its hydrogen and renewable fuels infrastructure to expand significantly over the coming year.

The project brings together expertise from Mahle Powertrain, Phinia, BorgWarner, Cambustion, Hartridge and Oxford Brookes University to deliver the next generation of hydrogen combustion technology.

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The BMW Group has used its latest hydrogen tank technology in the iX5 Hydrogen. The arrangement and size of the tanks enable a range of up to 750km.

BMW’s Hydrogen Flat Storage system is designed to use vehicle space efficiently and is compatible with the Gen6 high-voltage battery, ensuring no loss of cabin space. This allows fuel cell models to be produced on the same assembly lines as vehicles with other powertrains. The 700-bar high-pressure hydrogen tanks are also integrated within the vehicle structure, providing additional mechanical protection and enhancing safety, according to BMW.

“Our new storage concept allows us to fit the hydrogen drive system into the new X5 precisely and in a way that saves space,” said Dr Joachim Post, the member of the board of management at BMW AG responsible for development. “Think of it as installation Tetris: every customer gets the drive system best suited to their needs and a true BMW X5 with no compromises. This is technology openness and the art of engineering just the way we developers love them!”

Smart storage, more range

The flat tank system consists of seven high-pressure tanks made of carbon-fiber-reinforced composite, which are connected to one another in parallel and integrated into a robust metal frame. Instead of individual pressure vessels, there are several chambers connected to form an enclosed unit. This unit is controlled by a central main valve. In this way, the optimized storage concept enables the BMW iX5 Hydrogen to achieve a greater range. This development alone accounts for several patent applications filed by the BMW Group. The system can store at least 7kg of hydrogen and can be filled from empty in under five minutes.

The BMW Hydrogen Flat Storage technology forms part of the powertrain. It combines with the fuel cell system and an innovative high-voltage battery. The iX5 Hydrogen also benefits from the new Heart of Joy drivetrain and chassis control software, as well as BMW Dynamic Performance Control. It is equipped with latest-generation Gen3 fuel cell technology.

Flexible production

Thanks to the smart and highly flexible architecture of the BMW X5, five drive system variants can be built to suit customer requirements: from battery-electric systems and plug-in hybrids through highly efficient conventional drive systems to hydrogen fuel cell technology.

BMW intends to introduce the BMW iX5 Hydrogen into the group’s production network in 2028.

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Hyundai Motor has deployed eight Xcient Fuel Cell Class-8 heavy-duty trucks in Uruguay – the first operational hydrogen fuel cell truck fleet in South America. The deployment supports low-carbon freight operations and the decarbonization of timber logistics as part of the Kahirós Project.

The Kahirós Project is designed to decarbonize timber logistics in Uruguay by using hydrogen fuel cell trucks fueled by green hydrogen produced from renewable sources. The project aims to achieve decarbonization in local operations through actions including the deployment of the Xcient Fuel Cell trucks over a 10-year period.

The initiative is led by Kahirós Associates, a joint venture comprising Uruguayan companies Ventus (energy), Fraylog (logistics) and Fidocar (Hyundai Motor’s local distributor). It is backed by a US$40m investment from Santander Group, with support from the International Finance Corporation of the World Bank and the United Nations’ Renewable Energy Innovation Fund. Operations are scheduled to begin in November 2026.

The project includes a 4.8MW solar park and the construction of an electrolysis plant capable of generating 77 tons of green hydrogen annually. During regular operation, the main fleet of six trucks is expected to travel nearly 1,000,000km per year. Hyundai Motor will provide two additional tractor units as backups and for exploring further service expansion, taking the total fleet size to eight trucks.

“From the Kahirós team, we value the opportunity to contribute to the decarbonization of freight transport in Uruguay, and we are committed to ensuring that this project becomes a pilot that sets the course for more actions at both the national and global levels, contributing to the efforts to position our country as a hub in this field,” said Kahirós project director Juan Andrés Chick.

The Xcient trucks’ technical specifications include a hydrogen fuel cell system with 180kW output from two 90kW stacks, a 350kW (469hp) electric motor with 2,237Nm torque, 68kg of hydrogen storage across 10 tanks, a 72kWh battery pack and a range of up to 720km. The Class 8 tractors can handle a gross combined weight of up to 37,194kg.

“At Hyundai, we are committed to creating sustainable transportation solutions. Our Hyundai Xcient trucks with hydrogen fuel cells supporting the Kahirós Project produce no tailpipe emissions and offer a lower-carbon alternative to traditional freight logistics methods,” said Airton Cousseau, president and CEO of Hyundai Motor Brazil and Hyundai Motor Central and South America Region. “We will help decarbonize a critical part of the paper production value chain and demonstrate to the world that we can take action for a better future starting now.”

Chul Youn Park, senior vice president and head of the global commercial vehicle and light commercial vehicle business division at Hyundai Motor Company, added, “It is meaningful that Hyundai expands its global leadership in clean mobility toward South America with its advanced hydrogen fuel cell technology in addition to its proven applications in North America and Europe. At Hyundai, we aim to contribute to building a sustainable and safe freight ecosystem through hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles. Our partnership with Kahirós Associates has strengthened our devotion to innovation and commitment to sustainability as we share a vision for the future.”

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Phinia and Alpine are continuing to work together to drive innovation in high-performance motorsport and advanced propulsion technologies. Under its aftermarket brand Delphi, Phinia will build on its multi-year collaboration with the BWT Alpine Formula One Team as the sport enters a technically and competitively intense period ahead of the 2026 season. For the second consecutive year, the Delphi logo will appear on the team’s single-seaters and associated commercial assets, reinforcing its presence on the global F1 calendar and its reputation as a trusted automotive aftermarket supplier.

“Motorsport has always been a critical environment for accelerating innovation, and our partnership with Alpine reflects a shared belief in the value of engineering-led progress,” said Todd Anderson, chief technology officer, Phinia. “These programs allow us to develop and validate advanced fuel systems technology under the most demanding conditions, supporting both high-performance applications today and the evolution of future propulsion technologies.”

Accelerating hydrogen internal combustion technology

This partnership further advances Phinia’s role in Alpine’s Alpenglow hydrogen program, aimed at maximizing the performance potential of hydrogen internal combustion engines (H₂ICE) in high-performance applications. Leveraging Phinia’s hydrogen direct injection system, Alpine has progressed its Alpenglow Hy4 concept to the new Hy6 hydrogen engine, marking a key technical milestone. The Alpenglow Hy6 now features a six-cylinder configuration and has reached speeds of up to 312.9km/h during demonstrations at the 2025 FIA World Endurance Championship and the 2025 Le Mans 24 Hours.

Pierre-Jean Tardy, chief engineer, hydrogen, Alpine Racing, said, “Motorsport is evolving rapidly and our strive for continuous innovation requires partners who can keep pace, combining long-term vision with proven engineering depth. Phinia is a trusted technical partner for Alpine, and this partnership reflects the confidence we have in their ability to deliver advanced fuel system solutions pioneering hydrogen internal combustion.”

Anderson added, “Our partnership underlines the capability of H₂ICE technology to meet the demands of top-tier motorsport while supporting longer-term decarbonization ambitions. By applying our hydrogen direct injection expertise in a competitive racing environment, we are helping to demonstrate that H₂ICE can deliver performance, efficiency and control at scale – insights that are critical as the industry explores multiple pathways toward lower-carbon propulsion.”

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Honda has announced it is to discontinue production of its current fuel cell system, manufactured at the Honda and General Motors (GM) joint venture Fuel Cell System Manufacturing (FCSM) in Michigan, before the end of 2026. Going forward, the Japanese auto maker will focus on the next-generation fuel cell system being developed in-house.

FCSM was established in January 2017 in Brownstown, Michigan. Following extensive discussions regarding the continuation of FCSM business, the companies have reached an agreement to discontinue production of fuel cell systems at FCSM.

Honda says it will will continue to leverage next-generation fuel cell system technologies developed independently and strive to further expand its hydrogen business as one of its core businesses.

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Johnson Matthey has opened its first hydrogen internal combustion engine (H₂ICE) facility, where cutting-edge emission control systems will be tested, strengthening its heavy-duty vehicle testing capabilities.

A H₂ICE uses zero carbon hydrogen fuel in tried-and-tested engine technology, presenting a viable path for decarbonizing medium and heavy-duty transportation, such as trucks and buses.

Announced back in July, the new testing area forms part of JM’s existing site in Gothenburg, Sweden, and has been completed on time and on budget, representing a £2.5m (US$1.67m) investment over three years.

The investment has further expanded JM’s H₂ICE testing capability, enabling it to test full engines for the first time.

Tauseef Salma, JM chief technology officer for clean air, commented, “This investment shows JM is backing H₂ICE as a ready-to-go technology that will enable mobility partners to meet their decarbonization and climate goals. Our state-of-the-art Gothenburg facility positions JM as a world leader in sustainable technology solutions, transforming energy and reducing carbon emissions.”

The Gothenburg installation supports H₂ICE engines up to 600kW (800hp). It will test the performance of catalysts within the wider engine aftertreatment and control systems, providing key insights into the development of hydrogen mobility solutions. Gothenburg is already home to medium and heavy-duty diesel engine test cells.

The H₂ICE investment follows JM’s collaboration with Cummins, and technology partners Phinia and Zircotec, who launched Project Brunel in November 2021. This partnership was successfully concluded in March 2025, delivering proof points towars significant improvements in H₂ICE engine performance and durability.

The new Gothenburg H₂ICE facility includes an on-site hydrogen supply and storage area with a compressor and intermediate storage tank, hydrogen supply and storage up to 413 bar, a hydrogen flow meter and analyzer with exhaust measuring instruments and all appropriate control, sensing and safety systems.

Salma added, “For more than two centuries, JM has helped tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. We continue to do so today because it’s in our DNA. The opening of this new testing facility shows our commitment to strategic partnerships to drive innovation, strengthening the potential of H₂ICE as a net zero pathway for commercial vehicles.”

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