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Hydrogen Engine Development Trends
Initiatives by Japanese and European companies
2025/09/01
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Summary
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History of hydrogen engine development and latest technology trends
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Selection of the excess air ratio λ
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Inspection of abnormal combustion
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Consideration of fuel supply method (Pi / Di selection, water injection)
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Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan - Presentations on hydrogen utilization
Summary
Hydrogen engines are already in practical use because engine technology, production, and repair systems are easily transferable and are expected to have an immediate impact on decarbonization. While Europe is working to quickly expand the use of hydrogen in trucks, construction equipment, and other applications, including the conversion of engines in vehicles in use, Japan is developing technologies to lead the world with cutting-edge performance beyond the practical range.
In Europe, the use of hydrogen in practical applications is being expanded to foster infrastructure development. The Gross Combined Weight (GCW) 40t commercial vehicle presented at the IAA (International Mobility Show Germany, in German known as the Internationale Automobil-Ausstellung) show at the end of 2024 is scheduled to start mass production by KEYOU GmbH, a major diesel engine hydrogen conversion company, at the beginning of 2026 (the 18t model is already in production), and is scheduled to be delivered to chemical-related logistics companies in Germany. KEYOU has also developed a prototype 92-ton (payload capacity) dump truck powered by a 100% hydrogen engine, and Komatsu Ltd., its joint development partner, is currently conducting demonstration tests in Japan.
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| HySE hydrogen-powered race car (Source: Toyota) | Hydrogen-converted GCW 40t commercial vehicle (Source: KEYOU) |
In Japan, to lead technology in terms of cutting-edge performance, organizations are working to identify issues such as measures to prevent abnormal combustion and the development of parts for hydrogen-powered motorcycles and motorsports that extend beyond the practical range. A representative example of this is the HySE (Hydrogen Small Mobility & Engine Technology Association), which has announced its latest achievement of coming second in its class at the 2025 Dakar Rally. HySE race vehicles will compete in the Mission 1000 ACT 2 class, which consists of BEVs, hydrogen engines, or their HEV counterparts. In the same class, all five cars that ran in 2025 finished the race, with first place going to a MAN 6×6 truck that had been specifically modified to incorporate a hydrogen hybrid engine, and third to fifth places going to Segway Inc. (Segway) electric off-road bikes.
This report focuses on the various development directions of hydrogen combustion technology, with an emphasis on the Society of Automotive Engineers of Japan, Inc. (JSAE) technical sessions in 2025, where relevant presentations from Japan and Europe were presented.
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