Ford 6.8L Hydrogen IC Engine for the E-450 Shuttle Van

Ford Motor Company is researching and developing multiple propulsion strategies which include advanced gasoline engines, clean diesel, flexible fuel (ethanol blends up to E-85), hybrids and hydrogen propulsion, both in internal combustion (IC) engines and fuel cells. Hydrogen utilized as a transportation fuel is viewed as a long term solution as it is sustainable and clean when derived from renewable resources. The development and use of hydrogen IC engine (H2ICE) technology can readily be utilized to drive the transition strategy from the petroleum economy to the hydrogen economy. Because the “more conventional” H2ICE systems can be brought to market more quickly and in higher volume, business initiatives for hydrogen fueling infrastructure and other hydrogen complimentary required technologies can be realized sooner. To that end Ford has fully re-engineered a 6.8L Triton V-10 engine to run on hydrogen and power an E-450 shuttle van. This paper will review the design upgrades and development engineering that went into the first dedicated H2ICE powering the first dedicated hydrogen fueled, H2ICE vehicle to be commercially available in North America.