Throughout the world the efforts are being carried out to reduce the GHG emissions from transportation sector. As Volvo Group is a signatory of SBTi and having internal target of carbon neutrality by 2040, we have intensified & also diversified our R&D efforts to develop powertrains of the future having mix of conventional, various alternate fuels, electric etc. There will not be a unique solution or strategy suiting for all the markets in the world. Each market will have its own motivation & factors which OEMs need to consider while deciding the short term, midterm & long-term strategy for powertrain technology. Accordingly, OEMs must be ready with product mix suitable for all global markets. This paper will talk about the efforts taken and lessons learned during development of Hydrogen fuelled IC Engine. We used 8L Diesel IC engine as a base to convert it to Hydrogen powered IC engine, in a retrofit spirit, so that with minimum changes we could make the working prototype. This engine would be suitable for medium duty platform for both, on and off highway application. Various fuel injection systems were evaluated in context of complexity, benefit & supplier readiness. We will discuss the engine development phase (prototype engine), various technological options evaluated and at what stage we are today in terms of efficiency, performance & emissions. The typical problems found in H2 ICE, like backfire, crank case ventilation, ghost spark etc and workaround for them will also be discussed. Couple of proto engines has been developed and put on the prototype truck for vehicle trials, which are currently running. We will also throw some light on vehicle performance & next activities to be done.
The Volvo Strategy for the Carbon neutral step is defined as below: