The transportation industry seeks sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, and hydrogen internal combustion engines (H₂ICE) have emerged as a practical solution. They offer near carbon-free operation while integrating with existing engine technology and infrastructure. Thanks to hydrogen’s specific properties, lean combustion can be achieved, significantly reducing NOx emissions. However, operating a commercial engine under ultra-lean conditions at high load presents challenges, particularly in maintaining volumetric efficiency and power density. This study analyzes the combustion behavior, NOx emissions, and loss mechanisms in a four-cylinder, direct-injection, hydrogen-fueled engine, equipped with a variable geometry turbine (VGT). The engine was tested at three BMEP levels (8, 10, and 12 bar) under ultra-lean conditions, with lambda varied between 2.2 and 3.6. Unlike conventional approaches, fuel mass was held constant at each load, and lambda was adjusted by varying intake air