Towards sustainable HD transport

Trucks could run on hydrogen in the future, instead of fossil fuels. This would reduce CO2 emissions by more than 99%. The Powertrains Test Centre is a worldclass facility because of the availability of hydrogen, even with high pressure, our extensive experience with Single cylinder platforms and the fact that we have a unique altitude climate chamber facility allowing us to simulate 4000 meters in altitude, and which is perfectly suited for vehicle calibration. We are looking at engines that use only hydrogen and engines that use both hydrogen and another fuel. The beauty of this technology is that we can use existing production lines, it is cheap, it doesn’t matter how pure the hydrogen is, and we don’t need rare materials.

Trucks could run on hydrogen in the future, instead of fossil fuels. This would reduce CO2 emissions by more than 99%. The Powertrains Test Centre is a worldclass facility because of the availability of hydrogen, even with high pressure, our extensive experience with Single cylinder platforms and the fact that we have a unique altitude climate chamber facility allowing us to simulate 4000 meters in altitude, and which is perfectly suited for vehicle calibration. We are looking at engines that use only hydrogen and engines that use both hydrogen and another fuel. The beauty of this technology is that we can use existing production lines, it is cheap, it doesn’t matter how pure the hydrogen is, and we don’t need rare materials.

While building a battery is simple, maximising its performance and lifespan is complex. At TNO, we focus on developing algorithms and knowledge through rigorous testing, helping partners in the heavy-duty sector, manufacturers and OEMs optimise their batteries and get them to market faster. Our main goal is to increase battery performance through software. In the short term, we’re improving battery performance and fast charging. Long-term, we’re focused on extending battery life by developing predictive models through extensive ageing experiments.

While building a battery is simple, maximising its performance and lifespan is complex. At TNO, we focus on developing algorithms and knowledge through rigorous testing, helping partners in the heavy-duty sector, manufacturers and OEMs optimise their batteries and get them to market faster. Our main goal is to increase battery performance through software. In the short term, we’re improving battery performance and fast charging. Long-term, we’re focused on extending battery life by developing predictive models through extensive ageing experiments.

Our fuel cell and battery projects focus less on the development of batteries and fuel cells themselves but more on system-level problems. At TNO, we are researching how to extend the lifespan of fuel cells for different mobility applications. This is important because they are still expensive. Fuel cells are highly efficient at converting hydrogen into electricity, they are emission-free, and silent. They are also convenient for applications that look for long range and faster refueling and perfectly complement battery technology, diversifying our energy solutions. We are working on the current PEM technology and developing a control platform for the so-called new SOFC technology.

Our fuel cell and battery projects focus less on the development of batteries and fuel cells themselves but more on system-level problems. At TNO, we are researching how to extend the lifespan of fuel cells for different mobility applications. This is important because they are still expensive. Fuel cells are highly efficient at converting hydrogen into electricity, they are emission-free, and silent. They are also convenient for applications that look for long range and faster refueling and perfectly complement battery technology, diversifying our energy solutions. We are working on the current PEM technology and developing a control platform for the so-called new SOFC technology.