KEYOU and Komatsu Partner on Zero-Carbon Heavy Equipment Solution
Komatsu has begun testing a 12-cylinder hydrogen internal combustion engine in one of its heavy-duty dump truck at the company’s Ibaraki plant in Japan. The engine, developed in partnership with Munich-based hydrogen specialist KEYOU, represents a significant step toward decarbonizing heavy construction equipment.
Hydrogen Combustion: A Direct Alternative to Diesel
The project aims to maintain the power and practicality of traditional diesel engines while eliminating carbon emissions. Unlike electric alternatives, this solution uses hydrogen as a direct combustion fuel in an internal combustion engine.
Key features of the hydrogen dump truck include:
- 12-cylinder hydrogen combustion engine
- 700-bar hydrogen tank system from Argo-Anleg mounted near the cab
- Traditional engine mechanics with hydrogen fuel
- Zero carbon emissions during operation
Development Timeline
The hydrogen engine was first activated at KST in Bad Dürkheim, Germany, in early 2024. By January 2025, the engine had been integrated into a Komatsu dump truck, with full-vehicle testing now underway in Japan.
Industry Leaders’ Perspectives
Taisuke Kusaba, Komatsu’s Chief Technology Officer, emphasized the project’s importance: “With the great cooperation of KEYOU, we are pleased to announce the start of proof-of-concept tests by equipping a large dump truck with a hydrogen combustion engine.”
This initiative aligns with Komatsu’s environmental targets, which include:
- 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions by 2030 (compared to 2010 levels)
- Full carbon neutrality by 2050
KEYOU’s Chief Operating Officer, Markus Schneider, noted: “Our partnership with Komatsu is currently our most important customer project in the off-road commercial vehicle sector and demonstrates the performance capabilities of KEYOU-inside technology under extreme conditions.”
KEYOU’s Hydrogen Combustion Expertise
KEYOU specializes in adapting conventional engines to run on hydrogen while maintaining their heavy-duty capabilities. The company has already deployed hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles, including an 18-tonne truck delivered to German logistics company EP Trans in late 2023.
Technical Considerations and Future Applications
Converting engines to hydrogen combustion requires specific modifications to accommodate hydrogen’s different combustion properties. However, the fundamental approach preserves the existing drivetrain and performance characteristics while eliminating carbon emissions.
The successful implementation of hydrogen combustion in heavy construction equipment raises possibilities for other applications, potentially including high-performance vehicles traditionally powered by large displacement engines.
Why Hydrogen Combustion Matters for Heavy Industry
For construction and mining operations requiring continuous heavy-duty performance, hydrogen combustion offers several advantages:
- Maintains familiar mechanical systems
- Delivers comparable power and torque to diesel
- Eliminates carbon emissions
- Requires less radical infrastructure changes than full electrification
As testing continues, this technology could provide a practical pathway for decarbonizing sectors where battery electric solutions face significant challenges.
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