MAHLE Leads €5.1 Million Hydrogen Powertrain Initiative for Sustainable Construction and Agriculture

Consortium members from the back left to the front right: Tobias Horn (MAHLE), Dr. Frank Schweizer (Fraunhofer IWM), Leonardo Morgado (MAHLE), Philipp Winkelhahn (TU Braunschweig), Claus Dieter Vogt (NGK), Dr. Steffen Tischer (KIT-ITCP), Dennis Felger (Purem), Florian Reppert (KIT-IFKM), Dr. Uwe Wagner (KIT-IFKM), Dr. Ansgar Wille (NGK), Dr. Georg Töpfer (DEUTZ), Christian Depenbrock (TU Braunschweig), Mattis Gramke (Claas), Florian Heckert (DLR), Hans-Peter Böhm (Nagel), Fabian Wohlfahrt (Claas), Dr. Stefan Dietrich (KIT-IAM), Alexander Ohrt (Liebherr), Nils Kasselmann (TÜV Rheinland), Eva Zimmermann (TÜV Rheinland), Hannes Marlok (MAHLE)

(IN BRIEF) MAHLE is leading a €5.1 million, three-year project funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action to develop hydrogen-based powertrain solutions for construction and agricultural machinery. The initiative, involving partners like DEUTZ, KIT, and Claas, focuses on leveraging hydrogen’s efficiency and low emissions to decarbonize heavy commercial vehicles and non-road mobile machinery (NRMM). The project will include vehicle concept studies, infrastructure analyses, and exhaust system testing to meet future emissions standards. Hydrogen’s impact on materials and durability will also be studied, positioning MAHLE and its partners as innovators in sustainable mobility.

(PRESS RELEASE) STUTTGART, 27-Nov-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action has allocated €5.1 million to a pioneering three-year project aimed at advancing hydrogen-based powertrain technologies for construction and agricultural machinery. Bringing together a consortium of leading companies, research institutions, and industry partners, the initiative seeks to explore the potential of hydrogen engines to decarbonize heavy commercial vehicles and non-road mobile machinery (NRMM).

The collaborative effort involves prominent participants such as DEUTZ, MAHLE, KIT, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), Purem, Claas, Liebherr, and others. TÜV Rheinland supports the project, with MAHLE spearheading its management. The initiative underscores Germany’s commitment to leveraging hydrogen’s potential to meet future emission guidelines and decarbonize industrial transportation.

Hydrogen’s Role in Sustainable Mobility

Hydrogen engines are well-suited for off-road applications, offering robust performance, efficiency, and minimal raw emissions. “MAHLE has been at the forefront of hydrogen engine development for years,” said Dr. Marco Warth, Vice President of Corporate Research and Advanced Engineering at MAHLE. “This project allows us to combine our expertise with diverse industry and research partners, highlighting the innovation potential of German mobility solutions.”

The project will evaluate the integration of hydrogen-based powertrains across a range of off-road applications. This includes vehicle concept studies, fleet and infrastructure analyses, and the development of exhaust gas after treatment systems, all rigorously tested on advanced test benches. Researchers will also examine hydrogen’s impact on materials and friction dynamics, ensuring the durability and compliance of these engines with future NRMM emissions standards.

A Collaborative Approach to Innovation

The consortium’s approach integrates expertise from vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, and research bodies, fostering innovation through cross-sector collaboration. By developing hydrogen solutions that align with Germany’s ambitious climate goals, the project aims to establish a sustainable future for construction and agricultural machinery while driving economic growth and technological advancement.

MAHLE’s Strategic Leadership

MAHLE’s leadership role reflects its expertise in diverse mobility technologies, spanning electrification, thermal management, and sustainable combustion engines. With a strong portfolio of hydrogen engine and fuel cell vehicle projects, the company is uniquely positioned to drive forward the transition to low-emission industrial transport.

This ambitious initiative is set to demonstrate the transformative potential of hydrogen powertrains in addressing the environmental challenges faced by the construction and agriculture sectors, reinforcing Germany’s leadership in sustainable mobility innovation.

Media Contacts:

Kerstin Cynthia Lau
Head of Media Relations
Phone: +49 711 501-13185
E-mail: kerstin.cynthia.lau@mahle.com

Manuela Hoehne
Director Communications and Public Relations
Phone: +49 711 501-12506
E-mail: manuela.hoehne@mahle.com

SOURCE: MAHLE GmbH