Turbocharged hydrogen truck engine to deliver diesel-like performance

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) has enhanced its heavy-duty hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) by integrating a newly designed turbocharger, significantly boosting the engine’s power, torque, and efficiency. The upgraded engine now delivers peak torque of 1,760 foot-pounds and peak power of 440 horsepower, aligning it closely with the performance range of modern long-haul diesel trucks (typically 1,450–1,850 foot-pounds torque and 400–500 horsepower). Additionally, the engine achieves a peak efficiency of 44.0 percent, which is notably high for spark-ignited engines, while maintaining near-zero tailpipe emissions. This advancement was made possible by converting a natural gas engine to run exclusively on hydrogen with minimal modifications, demonstrating the feasibility of adapting existing engine platforms rather than developing entirely new powertrains. A key innovation in this upgrade is the turbocharger’s mechanical linkage to the engine’s crankshaft, allowing variable boost pressure on demand to address