The automotive industry is witnessing a transformative shift with the introduction of a new retrofit system designed to convert existing diesel engines to run primarily on hydrogen. This innovation, developed by UNSW researchers, is a crucial step in India’s plan to transition to cleaner fuel technologies. The system replaces the existing diesel injection system with a hydrogen-specific injection mechanism, enabling independent control over fuel timing. Key advantages include a reduction in carbon emissions and an efficiency boost of up to 26%. The design incorporates stratified hydrogen injection, which lowers nitrous oxide emissions. This allows businesses to update their existing fleets without incurring the cost of entirely new vehicles. The Indian government’s strategic investments in hydrogen processing and infrastructure could pave the way for wider adoption of these retrofit kits. Companies are also developing alternative solutions, like the HYDI, which is designed to generate hydrogen on demand, minimizing dependence on hydrogen refueling stations.
