THE Ford Trucks H-Dual Project to Reduce Heavy-Duty Vehicle Emissions

At the Transpotec, held at FieraMilano, we attended the collaboration between Ford Trucks International, Ford Trucks Italia, Ecomotive Solutions, Politecnico di Milano, LC3 Trasporti, SFBM, and Greenture (a SNAM Group company). The Dual-Fuel (H-Dual) project has officially launched. This innovative solution is based on the integration of Diesel (HVO) and Hydrogen/Hydro-biomethane. The goal of this partnership is to develop and test the first hydrogen-retrofit solution on a heavy-duty vehicle, aiming to commercialize a large-scale model and contribute to building an ecologically and economically sustainable logistics system.

The project was officially presented by the initiative’s partners on May 15 at Transpotec Logitec, the transport and logistics exhibition, at the Ford Trucks Italia booth. The H-Dual project marks the beginning of a new era for logistics operations in the sector: a progressive pathway aimed at achieving concrete emission reductions through a diversified propulsion mix.

Data Collection of the H2 Refuelling Stations

The program includes the launch and data collection from the first hydrogen refueling stations, starting with the facility in Arquata Scrivia, in the province of Alessandria. This is an essential step for the planning and development of a localized refueling network across the entire Italian territory. A key role in the overall development of the project has been entrusted to Ford Trucks Italia, selected among the various global divisions of the Blue Oval for its highly specialized resources and solid technical know-how, underlining the vanguard role of the Italian team in the global roadmap toward sustainability.

Once H-Dual is fully operational, the first Diesel/H2 Dual-Fuel Truck will ensure that hydrogen contributes to at least 30% of the fuel mix, before moving on to testing advanced H2NG (Hydrogen + Biomethane) blends, thereby offering high flexibility to existing vehicles. Thanks to the shared experience with LC3 Trasporti — which will operate the test vehicle under real-world conditions — and Ecomotive Solutions, the technology manufacturer responsible for the development and testing of the H-Dual prototype, another decisive step toward achieving “zero emissions” is being taken. Meanwhile, the safety and reliability of the infrastructure are entrusted to the decades-long expertise of SFBM and Greenture, which provide the high-pressure tanks and the refueling infrastructure respectively, performing thorough component testing.

In addition to environmental benefits, research will focus on optimizing engine performance and analyzing the Total Cost of Ownership, with the fundamental scientific support of the Department of Energy at Politecnico di Milano. With this project, the partners reaffirm their commitment to adapting the regulatory framework and homologating H-Dual technology, providing concrete solutions for the decarbonization of the heavy transport sector, whose emissions are traditionally difficult to abate.

The test vehicle, a Ford F-Max L, is on display as a tractor unit in the Transpotec Logitec test area for the duration of the event. The vehicle is already equipped with the H-Dual dual-fuel system, the hybrid solution that integrates HVO+H2 or HVO+Hydro-Biomethane.

“This partnership represents a new turning point for our company. Energy decarbonization is a challenge we face with determination on our daily roads,” comments Michele Ambrogi, Commercial Director of LC3 Trasporti. “The introduction of the test vehicle in real-world conditions demonstrates that collaboration across the entire supply chain is the only true engine of change. The time for waiting is over: we need flexible, viable options capable of cutting emissions, and the Dual-Fuel project responds exactly to this concrete need.“

H-DUAL: The Truck has a Blue Oval

“For Ford Trucks Italia, it is a source of great satisfaction to contribute to this project, which represents a concrete step toward the sustainable transformation of heavy transport. By providing the vehicle and our technical know-how, we support the development of Dual-Fuel, a pragmatic and immediately applicable solution that enhances existing vehicles and accelerates emission reductions. In line with the vision of Ford Trucks, we work every day to offer our customers concrete and accessible solutions, accompanying them on the path toward more sustainable transport,” states Nicola Russo, CEO of Ford Trucks Italia.

“Ecomotive Solutions has always believed in the development of flexible fuel systems for internal combustion engines. Diesel Dual Fuel technology was born in our company in 2009, with the aim of introducing LPG and methane into the heavy transport sector, offering both existing and newly registered vehicles a concrete opportunity to access alternative fuels,“ states Giovanni Deregibus, CEO of the company. “Over time, this path has evolved from gaseous biomethane (BioCNG) to liquefied biomethane (BioLNG), up to hydrogen. In this context, together with the partners of the H-Dual project, we are conducting road trials of a Ford truck equipped with Ecomotive Solutions technology, with the aim of making hydrogen immediately usable, even in a blend with biomethane, on commercial diesel vehicles currently in circulation. This is a strategic direction to accompany the decarbonization of heavy transport toward solutions with a lower environmental impact, through a progressive and economically sustainable approach.“

“Sfbm eagerly joined the project, which aims to offer a concrete and viable option for the decarbonization of the heavy transport sector. We believe it is necessary,” states the Sole Director of Sfbm, Prof. Marco Mele, “to propose a valid, immediately feasible, higher-performing, and less expensive alternative compared to electric options, which present significant criticalities, especially in the case of heavy vehicles. As a state-owned company, Sfbm has a duty to participate in the ecological transition process, working, within its competence, in the interest of citizens and the environment, operating concretely and leaving aside ideologies that, so far, have proven ineffective.“

“The use of advanced simulation models developed by our research group has made it possible to evaluate the potential advantages of H-Dual combustion, which guarantees a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 30% while keeping both the original combustion system and pollutant emissions practically unaltered,” states Tommaso Lucchini, Professor of Internal Combustion Engines at Politecnico di Milano. “Future investigations will aim to identify innovative combustion strategies that can simultaneously increase efficiency while reducing emissions.“