BMW is testing a hydrogen-powered combustion engine truck at its Leipzig plant in Germany as part of efforts to reduce CO₂ emissions from its logistics operations. The 18-tonne truck is now being used in regular factory logistics, allowing the automaker to evaluate how hydrogen combustion technology performs under real-world working conditions.
The project marks a new step in BMW Group’s strategy to explore alternative powertrains for goods transportation. Rather than relying exclusively on battery-electric trucks or hydrogen fuel cells, the company is investigating whether hydrogen combustion engines can provide a practical solution for specific logistics applications.
The truck will initially deliver parts to the plant’s Technology Exterior Components (TEK) division, which manufactures plastic components such as bumpers and spoilers. In a later phase, it is expected to transport finished exterior components to vehicle assembly on a just-in-time basis.
BMW Puts Hydrogen Combustion Technology to the Test
The 18-tonne truck uses a hydrogen combustion engine based on conventional diesel engine technology. Instead of burning diesel fuel, the engine burns hydrogen to generate power, producing water vapour and virtually no direct CO₂ emissions from the combustion process.
BMW plans to test the truck on longer transportation routes as well as in demanding three-shift operations around the Leipzig facility. The trials are intended to establish how reliably the technology performs under different operating conditions and which logistics tasks are best suited to hydrogen-powered combustion engines.
Dirk Wiedmann, head of Production Network and Logistics at BMW Group, said the company is taking a technology-neutral, data-driven approach to selecting alternative truck powertrains.
He described logistics as essential to vehicle production and said the project would provide valuable practical experience with hydrogen combustion engines in regular operations.
According to BMW, the trial represents the first use of a hydrogen combustion engine truck in regular German automotive production operations.
Hydrogen Trucks Could Complement Battery-Electric Models
BMW is evaluating hydrogen combustion trucks as a potential complement to battery-electric commercial vehicles, particularly for demanding transport duties.
Battery-electric trucks can be effective for many logistics applications, but operating requirements vary depending on daily mileage, vehicle utilization, payload and charging availability. Hydrogen-powered trucks offer a different set of characteristics that could make them suitable for selected routes and high-intensity operations.
One potential advantage is refuelling time. Hydrogen trucks can be refuelled relatively quickly compared with the time required to recharge a large truck battery, helping reduce downtime in multi-shift operations.
Hydrogen could also be relevant for routes where suitable high-power charging infrastructure is unavailable or where connecting charging equipment to the electricity grid would be challenging.
However, hydrogen trucks still depend on access to reliable refuelling stations. The availability of hydrogen infrastructure, the cost of fuel and the overall energy efficiency of the powertrain will remain important factors in determining where the technology makes practical and economic sense.
For BMW, the Leipzig trial is an opportunity to collect real-world data before deciding which applications could benefit from hydrogen combustion technology.
Hydrogen Combustion Engine Uses Proven Diesel Technology
One of the main characteristics of the hydrogen truck is its use of an engine architecture derived from established diesel technology.
Because hydrogen combustion engines share elements with conventional internal combustion engines, some existing vehicle engineering, maintenance expertise and workshop infrastructure may be adaptable. This could help simplify integration into certain commercial vehicle operations, although hydrogen-specific components, safety systems and servicing requirements are still necessary.
BMW also points to the engine’s ability to deliver robust performance under heavy loads and during driving conditions that involve frequent changes in power demand.
Compared with hydrogen fuel cell systems, hydrogen combustion engines may also be less sensitive to variations in hydrogen quality, according to the project description. This could potentially support vehicle availability in applications where consistent operation is critical.
Nevertheless, the overall performance of hydrogen combustion trucks will depend on factors including fuel consumption, maintenance costs, refuelling availability and emissions across the hydrogen supply chain.
Although burning hydrogen produces virtually no CO₂ directly, hydrogen production and distribution can generate substantial emissions if the fuel is produced using carbon-intensive energy sources. The source of the hydrogen will therefore be important when assessing the technology’s full environmental benefits.
BMW-Led HyCET Project Receives German Government Funding
The Leipzig trial is part of the Hydrogen Combustion Engine Truck (HyCET) research and development project, which is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Transport.
The initiative aims to develop and test hydrogen combustion engine trucks under real-world operating conditions while collecting data on their technical performance, environmental impact and economic viability.
BMW Group is leading the project, bringing together partners with expertise in vehicle development, logistics and hydrogen infrastructure. DEUTZ developed the hydrogen engine, Rudolph Logistics Group operates the truck, and TEAL MOBILITY installed the hydrogen refuelling stations required for the trials.
By combining vehicle testing with practical logistics operations, the project aims to identify where hydrogen combustion engines could be deployed effectively in commercial transportation.
The findings are expected to help assess the technology across several areas, including reliability, operating costs, emissions and the infrastructure needed to support wider adoption.
Hydrogen Truck Trials Support BMW’s Logistics Emissions Strategy
The HyCET project forms part of BMW Group’s broader strategy to reduce emissions from its global logistics network.
The automaker is exploring multiple alternative powertrain technologies rather than relying on a single solution for every transport task. The choice of technology depends on the requirements of individual routes and operations, including vehicle utilization, reliability, emissions, operating costs and access to the necessary energy infrastructure.
Battery-electric trucks, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and hydrogen combustion engines each have different technical and operational characteristics. BMW’s approach is to determine which option is best suited to a particular application based on practical performance and measurable data.
The Leipzig trial will help the company understand whether hydrogen combustion engines can meet the demands of regular industrial logistics, especially in operations that require high vehicle availability and multiple shifts.
Can Hydrogen Combustion Trucks Become a Practical Alternative?
BMW’s hydrogen truck trial highlights the continuing search for ways to decarbonize heavy-duty transportation. While battery-electric vehicles are already an important part of the transition to lower-emission road transport, hydrogen remains an option under investigation for applications with demanding operating schedules or infrastructure constraints.
Hydrogen combustion engines offer the potential to build on established engine technology while reducing direct CO₂ emissions during operation. Their long-term viability, however, will depend on fuel availability, energy efficiency, hydrogen production methods and total operating costs.
The results from BMW’s Leipzig operations should provide useful evidence about how the technology performs outside controlled testing environments. For now, the project is focused on gathering data and identifying suitable applications rather than establishing hydrogen combustion trucks as a universal replacement for diesel or battery-electric vehicles.
As automakers and logistics operators work to reduce transportation emissions, trials such as HyCET will help determine where hydrogen-powered trucks can play a meaningful role in the future of commercial transport.
