As the automotive industry continued to make technological advancements towards sustainable solutions, MAHLE, a leading German brand and global supplier, is making significant strides in hydrogen engine technology. The company has recently announced its readiness to produce hydrogen engines at scale, marking a pivotal moment in the transition to greener transportation. With a series of orders already secured, MAHLE is set to play a crucial role in the hydrogen-powered vehicle market.
The future is hydrogen: German is clear about how to develop it
Recently, automobile companies and engine developers have been exploring hydrogen solutions in order to meet critical climate goals. While electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles have significantly advanced these goals, industry is realizing that consumers need a variety of sustainable solutions which are both affordable and efficient in order to accelerate the process of reaching sustainable outcomes.
MAHLE has received a series of orders from German international internal combustion engine manufacture DEUTZ for hydrogen powered engines which are set to be used in vehicles by the end of 2024. The engines are planned to be used not only for private vehicles but also within agricultural and construction machinery. Hydrogen technology has gained particular niche attention in heavy-duty vehicle projects.
“We see hydrogen as an important building block for sustainable mobility, especially in the commercial vehicle sector. This project with DEUTZ is a milestone with a lighthouse effect because it shows that there are other technological levers besides electrification to achieve climate-neutrality,” said Arnd Franz, Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO.
Stakeholders recognize the importance of diversifying alternative engine solutions
“To keep the world moving, we need different technology options. What a climate-neutral excavator or combine harvester will look like remains to be seen. For engines that are constantly in use and move large loads, several options are possible. One of them is the hydrogen engine. Our successful pilot projects demonstrate the potential in the commercial vehicle sector. With MAHLE, we now have a strong partner to help us enter series production of our hydrogen engines at the end of 2024,” said Dr. Sebastian C. Schulte, Chairman of the Management Board of DEUTZ.
Both MAHLE and DEUTZ have recognized that the automotive industry can no longer rely on the internal combustion engine, hybrid options, and electric vehicles to meet sustainable goals. Large scale commitment to implementing alternative fuel sources and developing infrastructure to support this vehicles needs to be undertaken by industry with the support of government intervention.
Tesla moves to hydrogen: Elon Musk has unveiled future plans
Legendary electric automobile company Tesla recently announced their own switch to hydrogen energy. Tesla was the first to pioneer large scale adoption of luxury electric vehicles by CEO Elon Musk. Now, the company is looking to expand their portfolio with hydrogen initiatives. Their first hydrogen vehicle using fuel-cell technology is set to be released as early as 2025.
Hydrogen fuel-cell technology has been in the works since the 1800s. While technological advancements in this sector have made leaps and bounds in the past 20 years, the bigger problem is not the technology but its implementation. In order to support large-scale adoption of hydrogen fuel-cell technology, infrastructure will need to be developed to support charging and refueling of these vehicles.
While the automotive industry is set to go with hydrogen vehicles, the only thing left to ask if the nation is ready to embrace the change? Implementing alternative fuel source vehicles is not just a responsibility on the automotive industry but requires total commitment from a variety of industry leaders. New infrastructure will need to be developed as well as legislation forcing the internal combustion engine out so as not to slow the process of developing new alternative fuel source models.