Metier Technologies and MAHLE Powertrain will showcase a hydrogen-powered commercial vehicle at the CENEX Expo from September 3-4, 2025, in Bedfordshire, highlighting the conversion of existing diesel trucks to hydrogen fuel.
The demonstration, based on a DAF LF220 platform, features a 6.7-litre, 6-cylinder engine adapted for hydrogen combustion, combining Metier’s hydrogen expertise with MAHLE’s advanced engine control technology.
“This initiative proves that existing diesel trucks can be rapidly converted to hydrogen power, offering a commercially viable pathway to zero-emission transport,” said James Budgett, Managing Director of Metier Technologies.
The system is designed to support longer duty cycles and heavier payloads, providing an alternative to battery electric and fuel cell vehicles for fleet operators.
MAHLE Powertrain’s Flexible ECU platform enables precise engine mapping and calibration for hydrogen combustion, ensuring performance and safety. Mike Bassett, Engineering Director at MAHLE Powertrain, will discuss hydrogen internal combustion engine design, including combustion CFD and Jet Ignition® (MJI) technology, at the Expo. The project leverages MAHLE’s new heavy-duty hydrogen test bed facility in Northampton for engine optimization.
Metier plans proof-of-concept trials with fleets by mid-2026, with volume deployment targeted for early 2027. The company is working with hydrogen suppliers, fleet operators, and leasing companies to develop a scalable commercial ecosystem. The collaboration aims to provide depot-based fleets with a practical, cost-effective route to zero-emission operations while maintaining operational capability.