Westport Fuel Systems joins Scania on the road to hydrogen. And PowerCell announces new agreements

Let’s talk about hydrogen. Westport Fuel Systems, one of the world’s largest suppliers of advanced alternative engine systems, has announced its collaboration with Scania on a research project on hydrogen direct injection engines. The project is aimed to apply Westport HPDI 2.0 hydrogen fuel system to Scania latest commercial vehicle engine. Preliminary test results are expected in the second half of 2021.

Comments from Westport Fuel Systems and Scania

«Our specialty is working with gaseous fuels. Hydrogen use in an internal combustion engine with our HPDI fuel system could offer another cost-competitive pathway to reduce CO2 emissions from transportation», said David M. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Westport Fuel Systems. «This exciting evolution of our patented technology could provide an economic, competitive alternative to fuel cells while providing a similar greenhouse gas emission reduction profile».

«We invested in hydrogen technologies early. Going forward, what we learn from this research project will enable us to provide the best possible offering to our customers», said Eric Olofsson, Senior Technical Advisor at Scania Powertrain Research & Technology.

Another major new order for PowerCell

While on the subject of hydrogen, we talked not long ago about the very interesting first steps taken by Swedish fuel cell manufacturer PowerCell, which announced that it had received an order to supply two MS-100 fuel cell systems from a US agricultural machinery manufacturer. Now it is the turn of a leading European construction equipment manufacturer, ready to purchase a MS-100 fuel cell system.

Again, the name of the customer has been kept confidential by the Swedes, who expect to complete the order by the end of this year. What has emerged is that the machines in question are wheel loaders.