Photo by Hanson Lu Kimberly Hoodin April 15, 2024 MAN Truck & Bus is developing a new small series truck with a hydrogen combustion engine and a focus on the environment. In 1996, MAN Truck & Bus introduced the first hydrogen-powered bus, the SL 202, powered by a natural gas engine modified for hydrogen operation. The new MAN hTGX will be the first European small series truck with a hydrogen combustion engine. The hydrogen system is both efficient and effective. The newly developed hydrogen drive will work well for transport tasks that have limited space for batteries. The H45 hydrogen combustion engine delivers power quickly and offers an output of 520 hp and a torque of 2500 Nm at 900-1300 rpm. High payloads are well tolerated, and the maximum range is up to 600 km. The 56 kg capacity tank can be refueled in less than 15 minutes with hydrogen compressed to 700 bar (CG H2). “We are continuing to focus on battery-electric vehicles to decarbonize road freight transport. These currently have clear advantages over other drive concepts in terms of energy efficiency and operating and energy costs. However, trucks powered by hydrogen combustion engines are a useful addition for special applications and markets. We anticipate that we will be able to best serve the vast majority of our customers’ transport applications with battery-powered trucks. For special applications, hydrogen combustion or, in the future, fuel cell technology is a suitable supplement. The hydrogen combustion engine H45 is based on the proven D38 diesel engine and is produced at the engine and battery plant in Nuremberg. The use of familiar technology enables us to enter the market at an early stage and thus provides a decisive impetus for the ramp-up of the hydrogen infrastructure. With the hTGX, we have now added an attractive product to our zero-emission portfolio,” said Friedrich Baumann, Executive Board Member of MAN Truck & Bus. The MAN hTGX, with emissions less than 1g CO2/tkm, meets the planned EU CO2 legislation guidelines for classification as a zero-emission vehicle.
