Discover How Project Cavendish Enhances Hydrogen Fuel Use in Truck Engines
MAHLE Powertrain has commenced the testing stage of Project Cavendish, a pivotal endeavour designed to enhance hydrogen fuel utilisation in current heavy-duty truck engines. This project, supported by a £9.8 million investment from the government through the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), aims to provide swift market solutions and a straightforward upgrade route that facilitates hydrogen combustion in existing platforms and infrastructure, thus expediting the decarbonisation of the haulage industry. The initiative capitalises on the flexible testing facilities of MAHLE Powertrain in Northampton and the company's expertise in alternative fuels such as hydrogen and methanol.
Jonathan Hall, the Head of Research and Advanced Engineering at MAHLE Powertrain, commented, "Hydrogen combustion engines are ideally suited for heavy-duty, long-haul tasks that challenge electrification efforts. Utilising hydrogen leverages decades of development and investment and hastens the shift towards net-zero emissions." He added, "Our facilities are specifically equipped for advanced projects like this, featuring a dedicated hydrogen supply, bespoke monitoring and safety systems, and high-torque dynamometers that are perfect for the testing and calibration stages of the project."
The European Union’s revised CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles, a component of the “Fit for 55” legislative package, demand a 45% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2030, which will escalate to 65% by 2035 and 90% by 2040. Now extended to a broader array of vehicles, these ambitious targets pose a formidable challenge.
In response, the UK Government has pledged £8.3 billion through Great British Energy to invest in the hydrogen sector and an additional £21.7 billion in the carbon capture industry. These investments aim to lay the groundwork for expansive infrastructure projects, complement fuel cell electric vehicles, and bolster the shared need for hydrogen infrastructure to serve future decades. The application of hydrogen extends from highway transport to railway, aviation, and maritime sectors.
Project Cavendish harnesses the collective expertise of partners, including PHINIA, BorgWarner, Cambustion, Hartridge, and MAHLE Powertrain, to develop innovative fuel-injection systems and accompanying turbocharging technology. It prepares these systems for mass production to meet upcoming EUVII/US27 regulations.
MAHLE Powertrain's recently enlarged facility in Northampton now accommodates two tube trailers with a rapid switching system, ensuring a nearly uninterrupted hydrogen supply. Enhanced engine dynamometers with a capacity of 900 kilowatts (kW) / 4,000 Newton meters (Nm) support the rigorous demands of heavy-duty applications while bespoke control systems and software uphold safety standards.
