Weichai Power's Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Achieves 45% Thermal Efficiency, Leading the Industry

Based on the latest information I obtained,

, with details as follows:

• Maximum Power
  : 580 hp
• Maximum Effective Thermal Efficiency
  : 45%
• Evaluation
  : Currently the most powerful and highest thermal efficiency hydrogen internal combustion engine product[1]

• Debut
  : Unveiled in Tianjin in November 2024
• Technical Features
  : Different from previous port-fuel-injected hydrogen internal combustion engines in China, it is the first domestically unveiled heavy-duty commercial cylinder direct-injection hydrogen internal combustion engine[1]

Weichai adopts a strategy of parallel development of multiple technical routes in the hydrogen internal combustion engine field:

• Port-fuel injection technology
• Low-pressure cylinder direct injection technology
• High-pressure cylinder direct injection technology
  (especially leading the industry in the development of commercial cylinder direct-injection hydrogen internal combustion engine products)[1]

Weichai Power is leading the

, which was approved in 2024. The project conducts research on core technical issues of hydrogen internal combustion engines, such as poor combustion stability, fuel supply and pressurization[2].

It should be noted that the

, not hydrogen internal combustion engines. This is the fourth time Weichai has set a world record for the thermal efficiency of diesel engine bodies (50.23% in 2020 → 51.09% in 2022 → 52.28% in 2022 → 53.09% in 2024)[3].

As of now, the thermal efficiency of Weichai Power’s hydrogen internal combustion engine has reached

(WP15 product), which is currently the highest level among hydrogen internal combustion engine products in its class. Although there is still a gap compared to the 53.09% thermal efficiency of diesel engines, hydrogen internal combustion engines, as a zero-carbon emission power solution, have unique advantages in environmental performance. Weichai is continuously improving the thermal efficiency and overall performance of hydrogen internal combustion engines through sustained R&D investment.

---

[1] Weichai Power Official Website - “Zero-Carbon Power Focuses on Weichai! Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engines Lead the Way” (https://www.weichaipower.com/media_center/dlnews/202509/t20250912_119029.html)
[2] Weichai Power 2024 ESG Report (https://www.hkexnews.hk/listedco/listconews/sehk/2025/0327/2025032702899_c.pdf)
[3] Xinhua News - “World’s First Diesel Engine with Over 53% Thermal Efficiency of Engine Body Launched in Tianjin” (http://www.news.cn/20240421/41f856812007467893ab07b35f23fd91/c.html)