Does the combustion engine still have a chance? After Deutz AG, Punch Hydrocells has also announced a hydrogen engine.
Turin (Italy) – The vast majority of car manufacturers have long since made a decision: the future belongs to the electric motor – at least as long as it is about cars. Hydrogen, on the other hand, should only be used in trucks. Only Toyota with the Mirai* and Hyundai with the Nexo still rely on hydrogen cars.
But hydrogen also continues to play a role outside of the established manufacturers. For example, the Cologne engine manufacturer Deutz AG presented an engine* that uses hydrogen as fuel. This is based on an existing diesel engine and is scheduled to go into series production in 2024. The company Punch Hydrocells is now taking a similar path, as reported by 24auto.de*.
Hydrogen instead of diesel: V8 engine becomes climate-friendly
The Punch Group subsidiary opted for Chevrolet’s Duramax V8 engine. An obvious decision, since the Italian subsidiary of the Belgian development service provider took over a development complex from GM in Turin in 2020. (Toyota, Mazda and Co: This is how the Japanese want to save the combustion engine)*
Since then, the company has been allowed to build and sell the 6.6-liter V8 diesel in all markets outside the United States. In an interview with “Automotive News Europe”, however, Punch boss Guido Dumarey already made it clear that they do not want to build an engine in Turin that is powered by fossil fuels. (Electric cars: Germans prefer this alternative drive)*
Hydrogen instead of diesel: V8 engines are initially used in boats
Instead of diesel*, the V8 engine will be fueled with hydrogen in the future. “The hydrogen internal combustion engine offers a solution for a zero-emission carbon footprint and has advantages in terms of weight and refueling time compared to battery-powered drives,” the company said in a statement.
As with Deutz, the Duramax V8 converted by Punch should also be ready for series production in 2024. Initially, the unit is to be used in boats in cooperation with the Castagnola yacht shipyard. Dumarey also emphasized that the engine could then also be sold worldwide – including in the USA. Other variants of the engine are to follow. However, the Punch boss does not believe in use in passenger cars either, as the required tank is too large. The situation is different for vans or pick-up trucks. *Merkur.de and 24auto.de are offers from IPPEN.MEDIA
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