MAN Truck aims to become the first European manufacturer of commercial vehicles to launch a small series of trucks equipped with hydrogen combustion engines. The delivery of about 200 units is scheduled for 2025 in Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Iceland, and selected non-European countries. The MAN hTGX, as the vehicle is named, will be a zero-emission alternative for special applications, such as heavy goods transportation, including construction activities and timber transport. Moreover, this technology could offer an eco-friendly alternative to battery-electric trucks in areas lacking adequate charging infrastructure or in markets where hydrogen is readily available.
According to MAN Truck, the hydrogen engine is suitable for transport tasks that require a special axle configuration or where there is no space for the battery on the frame due to specific fittings. The MAN hTGX will offer high payloads and a range of up to 600 kilometers. It will initially be offered in 6x2 and 6x4 axle variants. The truck will be powered by a hydrogen combustion engine, delivering 383 kW (520 HP) and a maximum torque of 2500 Nm at 900-1300 rpm.
The direct injection of hydrogen into the engine ensures rapid power delivery. With hydrogen compressed to 700 bar (CG H2) and a tank capacity of 56 kilograms, the vehicle can be refueled in less than fifteen minutes. Emitting less than one gram of CO2 per kilometer, the MAN hTGX will meet the criteria as a "zero-emission vehicle" under the new EU CO2 legislation. "The new CO2 regulations at the EU level will classify trucks with hydrogen combustion engines as zero-emission vehicles," explains Frederik Zohm, Executive Board Member for Research and Development. "This means such vehicles will fully contribute to our CO2 fleet goals, paving the way for this small series that complements battery electric vehicles."
