Weichai approves world’s first China VI hydrogen engine

With 90% component overlap with diesel, WP15 reduces infrastructure and fleet adoption barriers for hydrogen trucking Weichai Power certified the world’s first heavy-duty hydrogen internal combustion engine to China’s China VI emission standard following testing at a government-certified automotive testing center in Tianjin on July 3, 2026. The WP15 was evaluated over a full operating cycle, including cold start, full load at high speed, and transient variable load conditions. The WP15 adopts a hydrogen direct injection, spark ignition architecture with a displacement of 14.6 liters, producing 447 kW (600 horsepower) and 2,800 N•m of torque. The maximum brake thermal efficiency reaches 46.8%. Weichai says this combination delivers strong power output and low fuel consumption, while also eliminating direct carbon emissions throughout the engine’s entire operating range. More than 90% of components are shared with conventional diesel platforms, reducing production, replacement and maintenance costs. The engine tolerates lower hydrogen purity grades than competing designs; Weichai says this will lower end-user fuel costs and facilitate the commercial transition from fossil fuels for heavy transportation. Target applications include long-distance trucks, mining dump trucks, port equipment, steel mill vehicles and large hydrogen power generators. The architecture is designed to mimic the payload and range of diesel equivalents in sectors where battery electric solutions face weight and range constraints. Hong Kong-listed Weichai Power has been investing in the development of hydrogen powertrains for more than two decades and operates an integrated system covering basic research, product engineering, testing and commercial distribution. The company stated that mass production will be accelerated after certification and that active support for China’s national hydrogen promotion programs is a priority in the near term.