BMW is testing a hydrogen combustion-engine truck at its Leipzig plant as part of a research project examining alternative powertrains for logistics operations. The 18-ton truck is a Mercedes-Benz Trucks Econic 1835 equipped with a hydrogen combustion engine developed by DEUTZ.
BMW Tests Hydrogen Truck in Real-World Logistics
The truck is operated by Rudolph Logistics, while TEAL Mobility provides the hydrogen refueling infrastructure. BMW is testing the complete setup in real-world logistics operations as part of the HyCET research project.
Currently, the truck delivers parts to BMW’s Technology Exterior Components division in Leipzig, supplying components used to produce items such as bumpers and spoilers.
In the project’s second phase, BMW plans to use the truck to deliver those exterior components to vehicle assembly on a just-in-time basis. The company will also test it on longer routes and in three-shift operation around the plant.
Why BMW Is Testing Hydrogen Combustion
The hydrogen combustion engine uses a piston-engine design based on diesel technology. BMW says it provides diesel-like performance and robustness under high loads and during dynamic driving.
The company also says the system is significantly less sensitive than a fuel-cell system to variations in hydrogen quality, which can help ensure greater availability.
BMW sees additional potential advantages in hydrogen, including lower costs and quick refueling. Those characteristics could be particularly relevant for trucks that accumulate high mileage, operate across multiple shifts or cannot spend time waiting for a battery to charge.
BMW Is Comparing Two Hydrogen Technologies
The hydrogen combustion truck is not BMW’s first experience with hydrogen-powered trucks. The company has already been testing fuel-cell trucks through the European H2Haul project.
Two Iveco S-eWay Fuel Cell trucks have operated between Leipzig, Landsberg and Nuremberg for about a year, giving BMW real-world experience with a different hydrogen propulsion system.
BMW is testing hydrogen combustion and fuel-cell technologies at the same time rather than committing to just one. Both types of trucks can use the same routes and refueling infrastructure, allowing the company to compare them under similar conditions.
The objective is to determine which technology makes the most sense for different logistics operations.
BMW’s Earlier Hydrogen 7 Experiment
BMW’s interest in hydrogen combustion engines predates its current truck testing. Two decades ago, the company introduced the Hydrogen 7, a 7 Series equipped with a 6.0-liter V12 capable of running on both hydrogen and gasoline.
The engine produced 260 horsepower and could accelerate the sedan to 62 mph in 9.5 seconds before reaching a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).
BMW built the Hydrogen 7 in limited numbers, with nearly 100 cars participating in a test program. The company eventually moved away from hydrogen combustion in favor of fuel cells, but its latest truck project shows that it continues to examine hydrogen combustion as a potential solution.
BMW’s Hydrogen Strategy Moves Toward 2028
BMW’s current hydrogen strategy also includes fuel-cell technology. The company plans to launch its first series-production fuel-cell vehicle in 2028, the iX5 Hydrogen, based on its next-generation technology developed with Toyota.
At the same time, BMW is using hydrogen in factories and logistics. Its operations include fuel-cell forklifts and tug trains at Leipzig, as well as hydrogen-powered logistics equipment elsewhere across its production network.
By testing both hydrogen combustion and fuel-cell trucks, BMW is evaluating different hydrogen propulsion solutions for its logistics operations. The Leipzig project is focused on determining how the hydrogen combustion truck performs across real-world routes, workloads and operating conditions.
