MAHLE Powertrain Expands Hydrogen Testing Facility to Support Light and Heavy-Duty Applications
MAHLE Powertrain, a specialist engineering subsidiary of the MAHLE Group, is significantly enhancing its Northampton facility to include dedicated hydrogen powertrain testing capabilities. This expansion aims to meet the growing demand for hydrogen powertrain development and testing for both light and heavy-duty applications.
The upgraded facility will feature dual tube-trailer capacity with rapid switch-over functionality, ensuring a near-continuous supply of hydrogen for extended testing periods. Additionally, the engine dynamometers have been upgraded to support up to 900kW and 4,000Nm, making the center ideally equipped to handle rigorous testing requirements.
Simon Reader, Director of Global Engineering Services at MAHLE Powertrain, emphasized the importance of this development: “Off-highway, heavy-duty, and marine sectors are increasingly looking to hydrogen combustion engines as a way to decarbonize emissions in areas where electrification isn’t suitable. This expansion responds to strong customer demand, equipping our test cells with a dedicated hydrogen supply to perform rigorous testing on even the most heavy-duty engines with their increased weight and torque characteristics.”
The Northampton facility is already active in the development of hydrogen fuel cell systems, hydrogen combustion engines, and hydrogen-fueled vehicle testing. Soon, it will also embark on developing an H2-ICE (Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine) concept that converts existing heavy-duty diesel engines to hydrogen combustion. This approach leverages existing infrastructure, accelerating the transition towards net-zero mobility without requiring wholesale replacements.
Safety is a top priority at the facility. The supply side adheres strictly to the British Compressed Gases Association (BCGA) guidelines for hydrogen storage and handling. Each test cell features a unique MAHLE Powertrain-designed system for monitoring and safely handling any potential gas escapes.
MAHLE Powertrain’s expertise extends beyond hydrogen, with significant experience in developing engines adapted to run on renewable alcohol fuels, such as methanol. This comprehensive knowledge positions the company at the forefront of the industry, driving forward the development and adoption of sustainable powertrain technologies.
