CMB.TECH and Ford Trucks announced a new partnership for the conversion of Ford F-Max trucks to dual fuel H₂ trucks, using ground-breaking H₂ technology. The trucks will be converted in CMB.TECH's Dual fuel workshop in Antwerp, with the goal of delivering the first trucks in 2023 and to further scaling up the concept.

Ford Trucks, the global brand of Ford Otosan, and CMB.TECH have stepped into a collaboration that will be crucial in the transportation industry's transition towards greener alternatives. As a result of this partnership, customers will likely have quick access to H₂ solutions that will be instrumental in ushering in a more environmentally friendly era in the sector.

CMB.TECH will be responsible for the conversion of the trucks to dual fuel H₂ trucks using its extensive H₂ knowledge and expertise. Thanks to the proven reliability of the Ford F-Max trucks, CMB.TECH can focus entirely on integrating the new dual fuel technology. The conversion process requires no adjustments to the traditional diesel engine, only a H₂ injection ring is added to the airline, making the concept highly scalable. With dual fuel technology, H₂ is aspirated into the combustion chamber, requiring less diesel injection to power the engine.

The conversion process starts with the mounting of the H₂ tanks on the trucks and the installation of CMB.TECH’s injection ring on the engine. Next, the engine control unit is installed. Thereafter, the quality control and validation of the dual fuel H₂ trucks take place. The conversion to CMB.TECH’s H₂ truck can reduce traditional fuel usage and associated emissions, while keeping a diesel backup solution for those moments when H₂ refueling is not possible.

While dual fuel technology is only a short-term fix, this collaboration will allow the deployment of H₂-powered trucks throughout many continents, including Europe, ahead of the widespread adoption of mono-fuel H₂ internal combustion engine (ICE) motor and fuel cell electric vehicle (FCEV) technologies.

“After 3 years of working together, I am pleased that we can officially announce the collaboration between Ford Trucks and CMB.TECH. The concept we worked on is simple and has the potential to scale up massively. We can use their trucks, which can be modified in three days at any dual fuel workshop. Together with Ford Trucks, we are ready to scale up further throughout Europe by bringing a low-carbon, affordable and robust solution for heavy-duty long-haul road transport,” said Roy Campe - CTO of CMB.TECH.

The partnership between CMB.TECH and Ford Truck marks a significant step towards the development of H₂ technology in the truck manufacturing industry. With both companies’ expertise, the collaboration aims to contribute to the energy transition’s innovative demands.

“We are proud at Ford Trucks to have started working on mono-fuel H₂ ICE motors and FCEVs, and we recently revealed the ignition of our H₂ ICE single-cylinder motor. In our opinion, this partnership with CMB.TECH on the dual fuel solution will be a crucial reference for our continued work. We anticipate that these advancements will encourage the widespread use of H₂ ICE motors and FCEVs, resulting in a more sustainable future for all of us by boosting H₂ demand and promoting the acceleration of H₂ supply,” said Burak Hosgoren - Ford Trucks' International Markets Western Europe Director.

This collaboration is a natural next step, given the successful collaboration of CMB.TECH and Ford over the past two decades. This partnership offers significant potential for the future, and both parties have the utmost confidence that it will lead to further achievements.