Volvo and Westport officially launch joint venture in Canada
The two partners are coming together to jointly promote, develop and further accelerate the commercialization of Westport's HPDI patented technology. At the heart of the HPDI patented Fuel System is a revolutionary patented injector with a dual concentric needle design that delivers small quantities of diesel fuel and large quantities of natural gas, at high pressure, to the combustion chamber.
Volvo and Westport will be partners in quite a significant joint venture aimed at future development of key powertrain components for trucks. The agreement was announced back in March, and officially presented during a dedicated event held in British Columbia, Canada, Westport Fuel Systems’ hometown, as well as the birthplace of Westport’s HPDI patented fuel system technology.
The two partners are coming together to jointly promote, develop and further accelerate the commercialization of the HPDI technology. The joint venture “will resolutely focus on moving forward affordable, sustainable transportation solutions using the internal combustion engine operating on renewable fuels now and hydrogen in the future”, as stated by Westport.
Volvo and Westport getting closer for upcoming truck technology
Collaboration with transportation partners and end-users has led to the deployment of the HPDI system in thousands of Volvo trucks across Europe, underscoring its effectiveness in achieving carbon neutrality. Since the commercial release of HPDI in 2018, fleets have collectively avoided hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 emissions annually. This success demonstrates the immediate impact of integrating hydrogen and biogas technologies into existing infrastructure. At the heart of the HPDI patented Fuel System is a revolutionary patented injector with a dual concentric needle design that delivers small quantities of diesel fuel and large quantities of natural gas, at high pressure, to the combustion chamber. The natural gas is injected at the end of the compression stroke.
“This joint venture is poised to make a significant impact on global long-haul and off-road heavy-duty applications,” said Dan Sceli, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Westport Fuel Systems, and interim President of the Volvo/Westport JV. “By combining Volvo’s extensive expertise in commercial vehicle and power system manufacturing with Westport’s innovative fuel system technology, we are creating a powerful force for change that can make a meaningful contribution to reduce carbon emissions immediately and affordably. Together we are committed to delivering sustainable, efficient, and economically viable solutions for long-haul transportation.”
“Today is a day of celebration as we join together to collectively advance this critically important clean transportation initiative,” added Lars Stenqvist, Chief Technology Officer of Volvo Group. “We believe HPDI-powered internal combustion engines, running on hydrogen and renewable fuels, play a crucial role in global decarbonization efforts in commercial transportation. The joint venture enables us to combine this innovative fuel system with our strategic expertise to guide OEMs and fleets as they navigate the energy transition.”
