MAHLE has secured a significant contract in the field of sustainable mobility, with MAN Truck & Bus commissioning the company to supply components for the hydrogen engine of its “MAN hTGX” truck. Recently named the winner of the 2025 Truck Innovation Award, the vehicle features a 6-cylinder, direct-injection engine with a 16.8L displacement and a power output of 383 kW. MAHLE will provide key components for the hydrogen power cell unit, including pistons, piston rings, piston pins, and cylinder liners.
Additionally, other MAHLE components will be used in the valve train. MAN plans to produce around 200 units of this zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) for select markets starting in 2025. The use of hydrogen in combustion engines is a critical step toward decarbonization, particularly in the commercial vehicle sector. Alongside electrification, MAHLE sees sustainable combustion engines powered by renewable fuels as a key strategic focus.
“MAHLE has successfully transferred its one hundred years of expertise in engine components into the future. Our state-of-the-art pistons and other parts make the internal combustion engine fit for hydrogen and thus climate-neutral,” said Dr. Roger Busch, member of the MAHLE Management Committee and Head of Sales. “Today, we are able to fulfill our customers’ expectations in terms of performance, efficiency and service life.”
MAHLE has succeeded in developing its engine components to meet the specific requirements of hydrogen operation. The tests at the company’s hydrogen test center in Stuttgart back up the high maturity level and already convincing suitability for series production of modern hydrogen engine technology. Thanks to the MAHLE hydrogen power cell unit, in particular the oil consumption of the motor and the so-called blow-by, i.e. the leakage of hydrogen gas into the crankcase, can be reduced to a minimum. This enables a robust and failure-free operation of the motor.
Hydrogen is the renewable fuel with the greatest potential for the decarbonization of the transportation sector today. MAHLE is well positioned with components and profound systems expertise for hydrogen engines as well as fuel cell powertrains in order to actively shape the climate transformation in the transportation sector.
The automotive supplier is currently working on almost 30 hydrogen engine projects for customers in the on- and off-highway sector. With the current contract from MAN Truck & Bus, another vehicle manufacturer is now going into series production using MAHLE components. Further series launches with other customers are planned to follow in 2025.
