Westport Fuel Systems said it has successfully completed a real-world evaluation of its hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine technology in Sweden.

Westport conducted the tests with KAJ Inrikes, hauling Ikea home-furnishing products.

The run featured a Scania truck equipped with a Westport H2 HPDI (high pressure direct injection) fuel system prototype. Westport said this is the second validation of the H2 HPDI system in a heavy haul application with a major fleet in the last 60 days.

A Complete Hydrogen Ecosystem

During the event, the complete hydrogen ecosystem was represented, including green hydrogen production; hydrogen filling stations; Westport’s HPDI technology; vehicle manufacturers; fleet operators; and the end user, Ikea, as a buyer of sustainable transportation services:

• KAJ Inrikes, fleet operator, a “green-focused” haulage company, performing transport for Ikea and other key customers in the Älmhult and Jönköping area.

• Smålandslogistik, large fleet owner, a long-haul and distribution company, which has identified the environment and decarbonization as important areas where they can have meaningful impact.

• Metacon AB, hydrogen fuel provider, a Sweden-based supplier of energy technology, including electolyzers and reformers for refining biogas into fossil-free hydrogen.

• Hydri AB, hydrogen infrastructure company, building and operating a complete network of green hydrogen refueling stations in Sweden.

“Scania is staying true to its purpose of driving the shift towards more sustainable transport systems," said Ola Henriksson, senior product manager at Scania. "The technology of using hydrogen in the internal combustion engine is an interesting decarbonization pathway because it represents an attractive solution with high maturity and quick time to market.”

Anders Johansson, vice president, Heavy-Duty OEM for Westport Fuel Systems, pointed out that heavy hauling is among the most challenging applications within transportation to decarbonize.

"These heavy transport fleets require sustainable technologies that are viable for their operations as well as practical and affordable for today’s market,” Johansson said. “We are encouraged to see a global retail giant such as Ikea field testing our H2 HPDI prototype truck as part of its decarbonization continuum.”

Westport’s Swedish demonstration comes on the heels of a similar run the company participated in earlier this year. In October, Westport conducted a heavy transport demonstration with its H2 HPDI fuel system equipped prototype truck hauling a refrigerated trailer in Madrid, Spain.

Clean, Robust, Affordable and Efficient Engine Technology

The European Commission has recommended a definition of a Zero Emission Vehicle as part of the upcoming HD CO2 regulation. Westport expects H2 HPDI-powered vehicles to meet this ZEV definition for a range of heavy-duty commercial vehicles.

In this collaborative effort, the Westport HPDI fuel system-equipped truck operating on hydrogen pulled a trailer filled with approximately 40 tons of Ikea home-furnishing products.

“As the first heavy transport hauler in Sweden to be Euro VI compliant, we take emissions reduction very seriously,” said Kaj Johansson, president of KAJ Inrikes “Westport’s H2 HPDI fuel system is an affordable and efficient technology because it keeps the current driveline and compression ignition engine platform while delivering the high performance we need at low cost for decarbonization in long-haul trucking.”

The Westport H2 HPDI technology impressed the team at Smålandslogistik.

"Its high efficiency, powerful performance, and the potential of long-range operations is a very attractive solution," said Nicklas Svensson, senior manager. "Our confidence is bolstered by its foundation on a traditional powertrain, ensuring minimal investment in new workshop facilities."

He noted that the adaptability of the system to biogas (renewable natural gas) is a significant advantage. "We can utilize local biomass and excess electricity, transforming them into fuel for our truck fleet."