MAHLE- a German automotive parts manufacturer and one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world- recently made headlines earlier this year with their first order from German combustion engine manufacturer DEUTZ for the development and supply of components for hydrogen engines. MAHLE has already been developing engine systems to support hydrogen initiatives for years.
A changing tide for MAHLE as the world turns towards sustainability
The initiative by DEUTZ will be their first time using hydrogen power cell units in stationary hydrogen engines. Chairman of the MAHLE Management Board and CEO Arnd Franz has long been an advocate for hydrogen in commercial vehicles, describing the initiative with DEUTZ as a “milestone” in the automobile world. The collaboration between the two German companies highlights how climate neutrality can be achieved through means other than electric vehicles.
Alternative energy sources are a necessity to word towards a sustainable future which is not reliant on fossil fuels. In the past decade, electric vehicles (EVs) have taken center stage in green portfolios within the automobile world. However, with this new collaboration between MAHLE and DEUTZ, it signals how industry across sectors are starting to expand their options and look towards other green technological options.
Hydrogen comes out as the clear alternative to electric
Franz spoke earlier this year at the “Hydrogen Motor LIVE” event hosted by the Hydrogen Motor Alliance e.V. at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Germany. The alliance is between 20 automobile partners who are committed to developing hydrogen products as an alternative to battery-electric within alternative energy portfolios.
Franz described at the event how hydrogen will play a key role in the transportation industry in upcoming years. He acknowledges how mobility needs across personal and industry use are high in variety and thus to reach climate goals to achieve sustainability, it follows that alternative energy options should also be diverse and widespread in variety.
MAHLE is more than ready to release the first hydrogen engine
Staying ahead of the game, MAHLE has already confirmed that their hydrogen components are reliable and are ready to be put to the test. Dr. Sebastian C. Schulte, Chairman of the Management Board of DEUTZ describes how the partnership with MAHLE offers them a strong position to assist DEUTZ with entering into series production of their hydrogen engines by the end of 2024.
Test products production will start first for construction and agriculture. MAHLE has reportedly adapted the original diesel technology piston and piston ring pack for their hydrogen engine components. For hydrogen combustion to be successful, a negotiation within the combustion process must occur between the between the gas solution that is forced into the crankcase and the oil consumption.
The MAHLE and DUETZ partnership represents an important leap in exponentially increasing green technological development in the automobile sphere. The use of hydrogen engines will not only produce close to zero carbon emissions, but will help industries where electrifying their automobile technology is challenging. Hydrogen engine technology allows for existing internal combustion technology to be updated instead of totally replaced as with electric.
To mitigate the effects of climate change, a carbon neutral future is essential. Hydrogen technology will be an asset for heavy commercial vehicles in the wake of the European Unions updated CO2 fleet targets. Further, a world which does not rely on fossil fuels allows for increased innovation and technological advancement. A clean environment is not only sustainable but an opportunity to really test the limits of human capability.
The world can look forward to welcoming hydrogen engines very soon to the world of EVs, hybrids, and traditional internal combustion engines.
