Weichai Power has certified the world’s first heavy-duty hydrogen internal combustion engine to China’s China VI emission standard, following testing at a state-certified automotive test centre in Tianjin on 3 July 2026. The WP15 was evaluated across a full operating cycle including cold start, high-speed full-load and transient variable load conditions.

The WP15 adopts a hydrogen direct-injection, spark-ignited architecture with a 14.6-litre displacement, producing 447 kW (600 horsepower) and 2,800 N•m of torque. Maximum brake thermal efficiency reaches 46.8%. Weichai says the combination delivers strong power output and low fuel consumption while eliminating direct carbon emissions across the engine’s full operating range.

More than 90% of components are shared with conventional diesel platforms, reducing production, retrofit and maintenance costs. The engine tolerates lower hydrogen purity grades than competing designs, which Weichai says will lower end-user fuel costs and ease the commercial transition from fossil fuels in heavy transport.

Target applications include long-haul trucks, mining dump trucks, port equipment, steel mill vehicles and large hydrogen power generators. The architecture is designed to replicate the load capacity and range of diesel equivalents in sectors where battery-electric solutions face weight and range constraints.

Weichai Power, listed in Hong Kong, has invested in hydrogen powertrain development for over two decades and operates an integrated system covering fundamental research, product engineering, testing and commercial deployment. The firm says mass production will be accelerated following the certification, with active support for China’s national hydrogen demonstration programmes forming a stated near-term priority.

Source: PR Newswire