New Energies, new possibilities

HD Hyundai Infracore Launches World-First Hydrogen Engine Test on 38-Ton Excavator

The company begins real-world validation of its 11-liter HX12 hydrogen engine on heavy construction machinery, marking a global milestone.
Hyundai aims to match diesel performance while eliminating carbon emissions in the off-road sector.
HD Hyundai Infracore has kicked off performance validation of its 11-liter hydrogen combustion engine (HX12) mounted on a 38-ton excavator, the first such test anywhere in the world. The move marks a decisive leap in hydrogen-based heavy machinery, as the company targets zero-carbon operation without sacrificing the torque and endurance of diesel engines. According to the company’s announcement, the hydrogen engine validation represents “a global first” and underscores Hyundai’s long-term goal to deliver carbon-free, high-efficiency power solutions for construction and industrial applications. The trial is designed to verify power output, durability, and fuel efficiency under real working conditions — a crucial step toward commercialization.
HD Hyundai Infracore stated, “We aim to achieve performance equivalent to diesel engines while advancing zero-carbon solutions for the construction industry.” The company emphasized its broader vision to “shape a cleaner, smarter future,” with hydrogen engines expected to complement battery-electric and fuel cell technologies across its heavy equipment lineup.

https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/10/06/fuel-cells/hd-hyundai-infracore-launches-world-first-hydrogen-engine-test-on-38-ton-excavator

A Bold New Blueprint for Economically Viable Solar Hydrogen

A review reimagines solar-driven water electrolysis not as a mere hydrogen production technology but instead as a relatively versatile platform for sustainable chemical manufacturing, according to Professor Fatwa F. Abdi from the School of Energy and Environment at City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK).
This review article, published in Nature Reviews Clean Technology, argues that introducing high-value chemical syntheses into solar electrolysis systems could transform it from a cost-losing proposition into an economically compelling industry. The paper offers a bold new blueprint for using sunlight not just to make clean hydrogen but to produce high-value chemicals sustainably.
The problem today is that the chemical industry relies heavily on fossil fuels and energy-intensive processes.
But this review shows how solar-powered electrolysis can do better: on one hand, instead of wasting energy making low-value oxygen, we can replace that step with reactions that generate profitable products such as bioplastic precursors or specialty chemicals.
On the other hand, rather than simply collecting hydrogen gas, we can use it immediately to turn raw materials into useful compounds. A crucial contribution is the call to match your technology to your market. Large-scale, centralized solar farms are perfect for mass-producing affordable, high-demand chemicals.
Meanwhile, smaller, flexible solar units are ideal for making expensive, low-volume specialty goods like pharmaceuticals or fine chemicals right where they're needed the most.
"What we are suggesting is a cleaner chemical industry that doesn't just cut emissions, but also stays economically viable," explains Professor Abdi, whose research centers on turning sunlight directly into chemical energy through advanced photoelectrochemical systems and next-gen catalysts.
"Big centralized single-product plants make sense for cheap, high-demand chemicals. But expensive specialty chemicals are better produced in decentralized facilities that generate multiple products," he points out.
"This isn't just about making cleaner hydrogen, but making profitable hydrogen, since when solar electrolysis is turned into a chemical reactor, the whole system can pay for itself," Professor Abdi says.
Laboratory demonstrations of these alternative reactions look promising. But scaling remains a challenge, which is why the researchers are calling for investment in pilot-scale systems and the use of advanced tools such as computer modeling and artificial intelligence to accelerate development.
They also emphasize the critical role of policy: carbon pricing, green chemistry subsidies, and tax incentives will be decisive in commercializing these technologies.
"This is the moment to align scientific innovation with market realities," Professor Abdi adds.
More information: Kaijian Zhu et al, Solar-driven electrolysis coupled with valuable chemical synthesis, Nature Reviews Clean Technology (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s44359-025-00089-3
Provided by City University of Hong Kong

Bosch has blamed the sluggish roll-out of Europe’s hydrogen market as one of the factors behind job cuts at its Mobility division.

To plug a €2.5bn ($2.9bn) annual shortfall in the company, Bosch plans to cut as many as 13,000 jobs globally.

The German engineering and technology company claimed demand for newly commercialised hydrogen technologies is failing to materialise at the pace needed.

It also pointed to the collapse in diesel demand, sluggish global vehicle markets, weak uptake of electromobility and automated driving, and fierce price competition.

Bosch’s sites in Feuerbach and Homburg, where fuel cells and hydrogen injection systems are produced, have been left with underutilised capacity – a problem the company blames on lagging infrastructure and regulation.

“Demand for the hydrogen technology products commercialised in recent years is too low as a result of considerable delays to the ramp-up of the hydrogen market in Europe,” the company explained in a statement.

“This has led to underutilisation of production capacity and an overall workforce overcapacity at the site.”

H2 View understands that job reductions will extend through to 2030, with its German sites being the most severely affected.

The Feuerbach and Homburg plants will see major reductions, alongside Schwieberdingen, where Bosch’s Power Solutions and Electrified Motion divisions are based.

“The sharp decline in demand has meant there is significant overcapacity in administration and sales as well as in development and production,” Bosch added.

Board member Markus Heyn emphasised that geopolitical uncertainty and tariffs implemented by the US are further compounding pressures as Bosch battles for viability in an increasingly competitive global market.

“This is something that we, like all companies, have to deal with,” Heyn said. “We can expect to face even more intense competition. That’s why we’re aiming to seize growth opportunities wherever possible and make sure our mobility locations worldwide remain viable.

“I’m convinced that Bosch Mobility can prevail in the highly competitive global market. But we have to pave the way for this now and use our own resources to secure our competitiveness, as time is pressing.”

Even as Bosch takes drastic cost-cutting measures, its leadership has doubled down on hydrogen’s long-term role. Chairman Dr. Stefan Hartung reaffirmed to H2 View in May that hydrogen remains a core pillar of its long-term strategy.

He underlined that hydrogen internal combustion engines (ICE) and the firm’s new PEM electrolyser stacks will drive future growth, even if Europe lags behind other regions.

However, he warned that EU tax policy is actively hindering the adoption of hydrogen engines.

“The EU allows tax exemptions under certain circumstances,” Hartung said. “The German government should take advantage of this and exempt the hydrogen engine from the energy tax as soon as possible.”

Bosch has already launched mass production of truck fuel cell modules and is targeting billions in hydrogen-related sales by 2030, though it scaled back some projects, including stationary SOFC development.

https://www.h2-view.com/story/bosch-to-axe-13000-jobs-amid-e2-5bn-shortfall-at-mobility-division/2132742.article/?utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily+Daily+Hydrogen+Highlights&utm_content=Daily+Daily+Hydrogen+Highlights+CID_274ec3848b7fbd8953373d5cf58f2b51&utm_source=Campaign+Monitor&utm_term=Bosch+to+axe+13000+jobs+amid+25bn+shortfall+at+Mobility+division