BMW Group is testing an 18-tonne truck powered by a hydrogen combustion engine in logistics operations at its Leipzig plant in Germany. The trial evaluates the technology in routine industrial transport, beginning with parts deliveries to the site’s exterior plastics division.
BMW describes the project as the first use of a hydrogen combustion engine truck in regular operations at a German automotive production site. The trial will subsequently expand to just-in-time deliveries of exterior components to vehicle assembly, as well as longer routes and operations across three shifts.
Hydrogen Combustion Engine for Factory Logistics
The truck uses a hydrogen engine derived from diesel engine technology. According to BMW, the powertrain produces virtually no CO₂ during operation. The trial is intended to establish how the vehicle performs under the practical requirements of industrial logistics.
BMW is assessing hydrogen combustion as one option alongside battery-electric trucks. The company identifies applications involving high mileage or limited charging capacity as areas where hydrogen-powered vehicles could be considered.
BMW also says combustion engines can accommodate variations in hydrogen quality more readily than fuel cells. However, the availability of a reliable hydrogen refuelling network remains a challenge for wider deployment.
Project Partners and Funding
The German Federal Ministry of Transport is funding the BMW-led research project. Deutz developed the hydrogen combustion engine, Rudolph Logistics Group operates the truck, and Teal Mobility supplied the refuelling stations.
The project brings together vehicle development, logistics operations and refuelling infrastructure to evaluate the technology in a production environment.
Dirk Wiedmann, Head of Production Network and Logistics at BMW Group, said:
“Logistics is the backbone of our production. That is why we are adopting a technology-open, data-based approach to identify suitable alternative truck drive trains for each specific application. For the first time in German car production, we are using a truck with a hydrogen combustion engine in regular operations. This project will give us valuable practical experience in real-world logistics operations and make an important contribution to further developing this technology.”
Evaluating Hydrogen in Commercial Transport
The Leipzig trial will provide operational data on the truck’s suitability for different logistics tasks, including repeated factory deliveries, longer-distance journeys and three-shift use.
The project forms part of BMW’s evaluation of alternative commercial vehicle powertrains. Its results may help the company assess where hydrogen combustion engines could fit alongside battery-electric vehicles in its logistics operations, while the availability of refuelling infrastructure remains a factor in broader adoption.