A pioneer in automotive logistics: BMW Group deploys truck with hydrogen combustion engine in logistics

Leipzig. At BMW Group Plant Leipzig, testing of an 18-tonne truck with a hydrogen combustion engine in real-world plant operations is now underway. The truck uses a piston engine based on diesel technology, in which hydrogen is burned to produce water vapour and virtually no CO₂. For this project, an H₂ combustion-engine truck will supply the Technology Exterior Components (TEK) division at Plant Leipzig with parts for the production of plastic components such as bumpers and spoilers. In a second phase, the hydrogen combustion-engine truck will supply the vehicle assembly with exterior components from TEK on a just-in-time basis. In this way, the BMW Group is testing a further technology to reduce the CO₂ emissions of its global transport activities.

“Logistics is the backbone of our production. That is why we are adopting a technology-open, data-based approach to identify suitable alternative truck drive trains for each specific application. For the first time in German car production, we are using a truck with a hydrogen combustion engine in regular operations. This project will give us valuable practical experience in real-world logistics operations and make an important contribution to further developing this technology”, explains Dirk Wiedmann, head of Production Network and Logistics at the BMW Group.

Field testing of hydrogen combustion engines

Testing will take place both on longer transport routes and in three-shift operation in the vicinity of the plant. The insights gained through this project will help identify suitable logistics applications for vehicles with hydrogen combustion engines.

Battery-electric and hydrogen trucks complement each other

Hydrogen trucks are particularly well-suited to demanding transport applications, especially those involving high daily mileage, multi-shift operations or specific infrastructure requirements. Short refuelling times reduce downtime. A hydrogen truck can also be deployed in regions without adequate charging infrastructure or a high-capacity grid connection. This is particularly relevant for long-haul routes and heavily used vehicles. However, an appropriate and reliable hydrogen filling infrastructure is still required.

Hydrogen engine builds on proven diesel technology

The hydrogen combustion engine is based on diesel technology and therefore easy to integrate into existing vehicle and maintenance structures, facilitating the ramp-up of H₂ combustion-engine technology. The hydrogen combustion engine also delivers comparable performance and robustness to a diesel engine under high loads and in situations involving dynamic driving profiles. Compared to the hydrogen fuel cell, in particular, the hydrogen engine is significantly less sensitive to variations in hydrogen quality and can therefore guarantee higher availability.

Funded by Federal Ministry of Transport

Testing of the hydrogen combustion engine truck at BMW Group Plant Leipzig is part of the HyCET (Hydrogen Combustion Engine Truck) research and development project. The project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Transport, develops and tests trucks with hydrogen combustion engines under real-world conditions. Headed by the BMW Group, the project partners are pooling their expertise in vehicle development, installation of the necessary hydrogen infrastructure and practical logistics operations. The hydrogen engine was developed by DEUTZ; the Rudolph Logistics Group operates the hydrogen combustion truck; and TEAL MOBILITY installed the necessary hydrogen filling stations. The aim is to generate reliable data for the technical, operational, environmental and economic assessment and to identify suitable applications for hydrogen trucks.

BMW Group Strategy for Reduced Logistics Emissions

HyCET forms part of the BMW Group Strategy for Reduced Logistics Emissions. As part of this strategy, the BMW Group is developing logistics concepts to reduce CO₂ emissions from its global transport activities and assess the suitability of alternative drive technologies for different use cases. In evaluating alternative drive solutions on a technology-neutral basis, the decisive factor is how well a technology suits the specific transport task. A particular focus is on technical maturity and reliability, operating performance, CO₂ emissions, economic feasibility and availability of the essential energy and refuelling infrastructure.