Volvo Trucks has just announced that road tests have begun for heavy-duty vehicles equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine. The commercial launch of this technology is expected before 2030.
To run on hydrogen in a truck’s thermal engine, Swedish engineers are capitalizing on the technology used in trucks powered by liquefied natural gas (LNG). We introduced it in the France Routes magazine issue No. 522 from March-April 2026, featuring the test of the Volvo FH 500 with LNG.
Cespira Technology
Unlike its competitors who use spark plugs to ignite the air-gas mixture, the Swedish manufacturer uses technology developed by Cespira. The engine retains the operation of a conventional diesel engine, with the injection of a small amount of fuel, either diesel or HVO, at the end of compression to trigger the explosion of the air-gas mixture. Volvo announces having commercialized over 10,000 vehicles equipped this way. The manufacturer is now working on a similar technology, but where LNG gives way to hydrogen. The commercial launch of this solution is expected before 2030.
Net Zero CO2 Emissions
The combustion of hydrogen, as well as its use in a fuel cell, does not produce CO2. Therefore, Volvo trucks running on green hydrogen and HVO as ignition fuel can achieve net zero CO2 emissions, from well to wheel, according to the manufacturer. The company believes that these hydrogen-fueled vehicles could advantageously replace electric trucks, which require longer charging times, especially for long distances, while providing a driving experience similar to diesel vehicles.
An FCEV also within 5 years
Volvo also announces working on developing electric trucks – FCEVs, meaning powered by a hydrogen fuel cell. Their launch is also expected to take place before 2030. The manufacturer is also involved in the CellCentric consortium for hydrogen fuel cell production.
