Westport Fuel Systems introduces H2 HPDI fuel system
17 September 2022
Westport Fuel Systems announced its new H2 HPDI fuel system. For the first time in Europe, Westport will display an H2 HPDI fuel system-equipped demonstrator truck at IAA Transportation 2022 in Hanover. H2 HPDI is designed for use in internal combustion engines. The system, when fueled with hydrogen, offers more power and torque than diesel while significantly reducing emissions.
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
We unveil today to the European audience a new CO2 reduction solution for heavy-duty transport. Westport’s H2 HPDI fuel system powering an internal combustion engine turns innovation into answers, creating sustainability we are very proud of. We like to think of it as a game changer without the change. Our technology achieves better performance than diesel engines, with near zero CO2 emissions, all while utilizing existing manufacturing capital investment and infrastructure.
—David Johnson, CEO, Westport Fuel Systems
The European Union has set a 2050 deadline to achieve its goal of becoming carbon neutral, and hydrogen fuel in the heavy-duty vehicle sector is expected to play a substantial role in this decarbonization strategy. According to European Commission data, about 20% of the future overall transport fuel mix will be from H2 with an additional 20% composed of low-carbon synthetic fuels derived from H2.
Westport’s H2 HPDI fuel system offers a cost-effective solution. H2 HPDI uses the same technology and shares many of its components with existing LNG HPDI powertrains. As a result, H2 HPDI can utilize existing manufacturing infrastructure, with reduced capital investments, thus expediting time to market.
OEMs will be able to continue using existing internal combustion engines by powering them with hydrogen, thus leveraging their investment in vehicle drivetrain design, supply chain and manufacturing. Engines equipped with this fuel system provide superior performance as compared to spark ignited H2 ICE systems and diesel engines, including greater efficiency and power density as well as lower operating cost. On a heavy-duty cycle, the H2 HPDI fuel system is anticipated to meet or exceed the performance and efficiency delivered by fuel cells.
The most common argument against the extensive use of hydrogen is that the efficiency is lower than using electricity directly.
Aside from the issues that it is often impossible to do so, especially if one wishes to use renewables as it is often not available when needed and ends up being chucked away when in surplus, with batteries only economic for short term storage, how important efficiency is depends on its cost relative to utility.
So sailing ships used 'free' wind energy, although of course rigging and sails etc needed regular replacement, so what is free in energy terms often is poor accounting when total costs including the energy needed to produce the equipment is taken into account.
But sailing ships rapidly got hammered by steam, although no one could pretend the fuel was free, and it was in addition pretty inefficient at the time, as well as dirty and massively polluting.
Hydrogen is none of those things.
Yep, liquifaction is energy intensive.
But from a limited resource, renewables are on an ever decreasing cost curve, which continues.
Putting a truck on the road has inherent limits in terms of volume and weight, so compact high energy density liquid hydrogen is what almost all the big boys are going for.
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 02:28 AM
Just a note that I have nothing against through the road inductive charging, and it may well pan out and enable long distance battery trucks.
But you don't bet the farm on such an immature technology.
I have managed to mislay my reference, but a recent study concluded that too rigid an analysis seeking to prescribe solutions prematurely by ruling out others is costly, and gets way ahead of itself.
Stay flexible, is the cheapest and most cost effective solution.
If in doubt gallop, or at least trot, in all directions! ;-)
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 02:45 AM
Quote from the article ' the H2 HPDI fuel system is anticipated to meet or exceed the performance and efficiency delivered by fuel cells. ' . I was right to wanted a small hydrogen ice car from now on up to 2030. It is important to release it sooner to stop pollution from petroleum production and usage and earth battery pollution and eradicate tesla.
Posted by: Gorr | 17 September 2022 at 07:42 AM
It's been years that i made buying bids to the industry saying what i want to buy and im fed-up of waiting. Begin now to eradicate pollution and in 2030 the overall market will be mature and my gasser will be worn-out and i will pay cash for a hydrogen or an ammoniac ice car with infrastructure. Stop studying and start building the market.
Posted by: Gorr | 17 September 2022 at 09:07 AM
Hi,
Anyone want to have a zoom call to get to know each other.
if so, contact me at james dot mahon at gmail
- JM
Posted by: mahonj | 17 September 2022 at 10:41 AM
I'm up for it!
Posted by: Davemart | 17 September 2022 at 10:45 AM