Fueling the Future: Texas Consortium Tackles Hydrogen-Powered Vehicles
San Antonio, Tuesday, 11 March 2025.
SwRI’s new Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine 2 Consortium aims to decarbonise transport with hydrogen vehicles, achieving almost no CO2 and impressively low NOx emissions. Launching event: 27 March 2025.
Groundbreaking Performance
I’m excited to share the remarkable achievements of SwRI’s hydrogen engine development. Their H2-ICE engine has demonstrated an astounding 99.7% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to diesel engines [1]. What’s even more impressive is the engine’s nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of just 8 mg/hp-hr - that’s five times lower than the EPA’s 2027 limit [1]. This breakthrough shows we’re not just talking about marginal improvements; we’re witnessing a revolutionary leap in clean transportation technology.
Smart Engineering Solutions
The development team made a clever choice in selecting the Cummins X15N natural gas engine as their foundation. What I find particularly ingenious is how they managed to retain 90% of the existing engine parts while incorporating specialized components like custom injectors and a bespoke intake manifold [1]. This practical approach demonstrates how we can transform existing technology into something dramatically cleaner and more sustainable.
Growing Momentum in Research
The hydrogen engine movement is gaining significant traction across North America. Just last month, on February 10th, 2025, the University of California, Riverside and the University of Michigan launched the Hydrogen Engine Alliance of North America (H2EA-NA) [2]. As Dr. Georgios Karavalakis, co-director of H2EA-NA, emphasizes, ‘Our goal is to leverage hydrogen as a low-carbon solution that can enhance the performance and sustainability of internal combustion engines’ [2].
Looking Ahead
Mark your calendars - SwRI is hosting a kick-off event for the H2-ICE2 Consortium on March 27th, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas [1]. This consortium will take the next crucial step: testing these innovative engines in real-world conditions. The program will explore the practical challenges and opportunities of operating hydrogen-powered trucks in actual environments [1], bringing us closer to a cleaner transportation future.