Mahle has received orders from engine manufacturer Deutz to develop and supply components for hydrogen engines.
These include power cell units, i.e., the piston, the piston ring pack and the piston pin, which Deutz plans to use in stationary hydrogen engines for the first time from the end of 2024. Further applications in the off-highway sector, such as agricultural and construction machinery, are planned.
Mahle has adapted and further developed the aluminium piston and piston ring pack from classical diesel technology for use in the hydrogen engine. As early as March 2021, the technology group opened a new test centre for hydrogen applications on 1,400 square meters of space at its Stuttgart location.
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Arnd Franz, Chairman, Management Board, Mahle, said, “We see hydrogen as an important building block for sustainable mobility, especially in the commercial vehicle sector. This project with Deutz is a milestone with a lighthouse effect because it shows that there are other technological levers besides electrification to achieve climate neutrality.”
Dr Sebastian C Schulte, Chairman, Management Board, Deutz, noted, “Our successful pilot projects demonstrate the potential in the commercial vehicle sector. With Mahle, we now have a strong partner to help us enter series production of our hydrogen engines at the end of 2024.”