MAHLE Powertrain, the development service provider, has generated hydrogen for heavy-duty and off-road applications, such as excavators, track vehicles, and wheeled loaders using climate-neutral processes.

The company said it is supporting Liebherr Machines Bulle in its research to develop hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines.

Their work involves the use of Mahle's prechamber jet ignition system (MJI). Engine tests have shown that by using this technology, the mixture of hydrogen and air can be ignited and burned at a high compression ratio, which makes the combustion process stable, the company said.

Peter Wieske, director of advanced corporate engineering, MAHLE, said hydrogen could make many heavy-duty and off-road applications climate-neutral "quickly".

Additionally, Wieske said that studies have shown that hydrogen can be used in internal combustion engines "without any problems".

Mike Bunce, head of research, MAHLE Powertrain US, said the biggest challenge is to stop engine knocking and "premature ignition without reducing the compression ratio" and consequently the efficiency and performance yield.

MAHLE insisted that hydrogen engines are "ideal" for high load cycles with sudden load changes and can work well in the heat and dust.