Big truckmakers bet on hydrogen to extend combustion engine life

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Reuters or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Major truck manufacturers like Volvo and MAN are developing hydrogen combustion engines as a low-emission alternative to diesel
• This approach is seen as a quicker and less expensive transition to cleaner energy compared to developing new hydrogen fuel cell systems

🔭 The context: While electric batteries are impractical for long-haul trucks due to weight and charging time, hydrogen combustion engines offer a more immediate solution that can utilize existing manufacturing infrastructure
• The shift to hydrogen combustion also aims to protect jobs in traditional engine production

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Hydrogen combustion engines could reduce emissions in the trucking industry, a significant contributor to pollution
• This technology serves as a bridge towards more sustainable solutions, although it still faces challenges like limited availability of green hydrogen

⏭️ What's next: Truckmakers plan to launch pilot projects, with MAN deploying 200 hydrogen trucks in Europe next year
• Companies are also exploring hydrogen fuel cell trucks, anticipating market-ready products by the late 2020s

💬 One quote: "We want to be fast. That's why this technology has a role to play." — Michael Krueger, Bosch

📈 One stat: Westport Fuel Systems has provided fueling systems for 6,000 combustion engine trucks in Europe, capable of being adapted to hydrogen

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