Weichai WP 15 Hydrogen Engine is China VI Compliant

As the Weichai WP15 hydrogen engine demonstrates, the company is not halting the evolution of the much-maligned internal combustion engine, even though at this stage it remains anchored to heavy-duty automotive applications. The 6-cylinder engine successfully passed the full China VI vehicle emission certification tests on July 3 at the CATARC Automotive Test Center (Tianjin) Co.

According to Weichai, the achievement makes it the first heavy‑duty hydrogen internal combustion engine in both China and the world to comply with the country’s stringent China VI emission standard. Testing covered a full range of operation condition, including cold start, low‑speed idling, high‑speed full‑load, and transient variable load changes, verifying the engine’s emission performance, reliability and stability in real‑world applications.

Great Performances, Almost Zero Emissions

The WP15 adopts a hydrogen direct-injection, spark‑ignited architecture and delivers industry-leading performance. Featuring a 14.6-liter displacement, the engine produces up to 600 horsepower and 2,800 Nm of torque while achieving a maximum brake thermal efficiency of 46.8%, combining strong power, low consumption, and zero emissions with strong commercialization potential. A threshold that approaches the conventional one of the Diesel cycle. It is worth recalling that Weichai itself has repeatedly broken the Diesel efficiency record.

With over 90% component commonality with conventional engine platforms, the WP15 inherits proven advantages in load capacity, range, and environmental adaptability, reducing production, retrofitting, and maintenance costs. Furthermore, its higher tolerance for hydrogen purity also lowers end-user fuel costs and accelerates fossil fuel replacement. The engine is well-suited for long-haul trucks, mining dump trucks, port equipment, steel mill vehicles, and large hydrogen power generators, driving green upgrades across transportation and heavy equipment sectors.