A new hydrogen ICE test facility aims to accelerate zero-carbon combustion technology
Johnson Matthey (JM) has officially opened its first dedicated hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2ICE) testing facility, marking a significant milestone in the development of low- and zero-carbon propulsion technologies for medium- and heavy-duty transport
The new centre of excellence, located at JM’s existing Gothenburg site in Sweden, is designed to evaluate advanced emission control and after-treatment systems for hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines operating at full scale.
HYDROGEN ICE TECHNOLOGY
H2ICE technology uses zero-carbon hydrogen fuel in conventional internal combustion engine architectures, offering a pragmatic decarbonisation pathway for applications such as trucks, buses and off-highway vehicles where energy density, durability and refuelling speed remain critical. By combining familiar engine platforms with hydrogen combustion, the technology enables manufacturers and fleet operators to leverage existing supply chains while reducing lifecycle carbon emissions.
EXPANDING TESTING CAPABILITY
The Gothenburg facility was first announced in July 2025 and has now been completed on time and on budget following a £2.5 million investment spread over three years. The official opening was performed by Damien Sotty, JM R&D director, Daniel Sandqvist, Gothenburg test centre manager, and Jonas Edvardsson, managing director JM Gothenburg. The investment significantly expands JM’s heavy-duty testing capability by enabling full-engine H2ICE testing for the first time, rather than component-level evaluation alone.
This expanded capability supports the rapid evolution of both global regulatory frameworks and customer demand for cleaner transport solutions. It also reflects growing industry interest in hydrogen combustion as a complementary technology to fuel cells and battery-electric powertrains, particularly in high-power and long-duty-cycle applications.
“This investment shows JM is backing H2ICE as a ready-to-go technology that will enable mobility partners to meet their decarbonisation and climate goals,” says Tauseef Salma, JM chief technology officer in clean air. “Our state-of-the-art Gothenburg facility positions JM as a world leader in sustainable technology solutions, transforming energy and reducing carbon emissions.”
The new installation is capable of supporting hydrogen internal combustion engines rated up to 600kW (800hp). Testing will focus on catalyst performance within complete exhaust after-treatment and engine control systems, generating data critical to improving efficiency, emissions compliance and durability. The Gothenburg site already hosts medium- and heavy-duty diesel engine test cells, allowing direct comparison between conventional and hydrogen-fuelled combustion technologies.
The facility includes an on-site hydrogen supply and storage area equipped with a compressor and intermediate storage tank, with hydrogen storage capability up to 413 bar. It is also fitted with hydrogen flow meters and analysers, comprehensive exhaust measurement instrumentation, and the full range of control, sensing and safety systems required for high-pressure hydrogen operation.
INVESTING IN HYDROGEN
The H2ICE investment builds on JM’s earlier collaboration with Cummins and technology partners PHINIA and Zircotec through Project Brunel. Launched in November 2021 and successfully concluded in March 2025, the project delivered proof points demonstrating significant improvements in hydrogen engine performance and durability, helping to de-risk the technology for commercial deployment.
Salma adds: “For more than two centuries, JM has helped tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges. We continue to do so today because it’s in our DNA. The opening of this new testing facility shows our commitment to strategic partnerships to drive innovation, strengthening the potential of H2ICE as a net zero pathway for commercial vehicles.”
Beyond its own R&D activities, JM is also a founding member of the Global Hydrogen Mobility Alliance, which brings together more than 30 automotive, energy and technology companies. The alliance is actively urging EU policymakers to recognise hydrogen mobility, including hydrogen internal combustion engines, as a core pillar of Europe’s transport decarbonisation and industrial strategy.