A new benchmark for zero-carbon environmental sanitation! China's first hydrogen-powered internal combustion engine sprinkler truck put into operation in Cangzhou, Yuchai technology pioneers a new paradigm for hydrogen energy in commercial vehicles

Recently, a new green force has emerged on the streets of Cangzhou, Hebei Province - a water sprinkler equipped with Yuchai's YCK05H hydrogen-fueled engine has officially commenced operations. This marks not only China's first hydrogen internal combustion engine (HICE) vehicle put into practical use, but also a key breakthrough in transitioning HICE technology from the laboratory to large-scale applications. Tailored for urban sanitation, this "zero-carbon craftsman" paints a vivid picture of hydrogen energy transformation in commercial vehicles amidst the continuous spray of water mist.

As the first hydrogen-powered engine for commercial vehicles in China, the YCK05H addresses industry pain points through technological breakthroughs. By synergizing innovations in high-pressure multi-point injection, efficient lean combustion, and transient boost enhancement technologies, the R&D team has successfully overcome the "bottleneck" challenges of hydrogen fuel backfire and knocking, ensuring power performance while achieving exhaust emissions of only water vapor. Compared to fuel cell systems, it reduces manufacturing costs by 70%, lowers life cycle usage costs by 50%, and boasts a lifespan five times longer, making it particularly suitable for high-frequency scenarios like sanitation and public transportation that operate over 8 hours daily. According to calculations by the Cangzhou Sanitation Department, a single water sprinkler can reduce carbon emissions by over 60 mt annually, equivalent to the carbon sequestration capacity of 3,000 mature trees.

The water sprinkler launched this time is merely a microcosm of Yuchai's hydrogen energy layout. Leveraging over 20 years of internal combustion engine technology accumulation, the company has established a comprehensive solution spectrum encompassing "hydrogen internal combustion engines + range extenders + generator sets + fuel cells". This spans from 5-liter light-duty sanitation power to 16-liter heavy-duty commercial vehicle engines, from municipal water sprinklers to cold chain logistics vehicles, and from stationary power stations to mobile power supplies, forming a technological matrix of "one machine, multiple uses, and multi-scenario adaptability". Data shows that Yuchai's hydrogen internal combustion engines have undergone extreme condition validations, including -30℃ cold and 50℃ hot environments, with cumulative bench testing exceeding 20,000 hours and a 100% localization rate for key parts.

Industry experts point out that the large-scale application of HICE is timely. Compared to fuel cells that require high-purity hydrogen, HICE can utilize over 90% of industrial by-product hydrogen, significantly reducing hydrogen usage costs. Relying on a mature internal combustion engine industry chain, maintenance costs are only one-third of those for new energy vehicle models. With the launch of the country's first HICE demonstration line led by the Tianjin Inspection Center and the policy support from the "Medium and Long-Term Plan for the Development of the Hydrogen Energy Industry", it is expected that by 2025, HICE will achieve a market size of 10,000 units, driving hydrogen energy infrastructure investments exceeding 10 billion yuan.

"This is not just a simple power substitution, but the initiation of the 'second life' of internal combustion engines," said the head of Yuchai's hydrogen energy technology. The company is accelerating the iteration of the YCK05H 2.0 version, aiming to enhance thermal efficiency to 46% through intelligent control algorithm upgrades, further solidifying its core advantages of "low cost, long lifespan, and high reliability". As the water mist from the sprinkler intertwines with the blue flame of hydrogen energy, China's commercial vehicles are embarking on a greener transformation, steering towards a zero-carbon future with a more pragmatic approach.