What Is Hydrogen–Diesel Blending?

Hydrogen–diesel blends introduce hydrogen into the engine’s, partially replacing diesel during combustion. This method enhances combustion performance without requiring a full engine replacement. ESSNA™ has a unique approach that drives combustion.

Benefits of Hydrogen Blending for Fleets

Reduced Emissions Without Replacing Trucks

Hydrogen addition has been shown to reduce CO emissions by up to 83% and soot by 88% when hydrogen reaches 50% of the energy input in dual-fuel engines. Source

Another study found that hydrogen-enhanced combustion reduced carbon monoxide (CO) emissions by up to 85.4%, hydrocarbons (HC) by 21.6%, and nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) by 59.3%, depending on driving conditions. Source

Important to note, blending ratios will be lower than 50%, dependent on the OEM’s input to the retrofit.

Fuel Efficiency and Performance Gains

Combustion efficiency improves notably with hydrogen blending. Tests using hydrogen–diesel dual fuel systems reported reductions in brake specific diesel fuel consumption (BSDFC) by up to 27%, while brake thermal efficiency (BTE) increased by as much as 37% under certain operating conditions. Source

Lower Total Cost of Ownership

ESSNA™’s retrofit solution requires no upfront CapEx, enabling fleets to adopt hydrogen blending without initial capital investment. Instead, costs are based solely on hydrogen consumption—transforming it from a capital expense to an operating one.

Retrofitting Diesel Engines for Hydrogen

How ESSNA™ Enables Hydrogen Blending

ESSNA™ retrofit kits integrate directly with existing diesel engines and fuel systems, enabling hydrogen introduction without affecting the engine’s core reliability or performance.

No CapEx Model: Pay Only for Hydrogen

ESSNA™ takes on the cost of hardware installation. Fleets simply pay for the hydrogen they use, making the upgrade both easy to adopt and financially straightforward.

Operational Considerations for Fleet Managers

• Maintenance & Reliability: Since only the supplementary hydrogen system is added, diesel engine maintenance remains mostly unchanged, with minimal incremental upkeep.
• Deliveries through ESSNA’s™ decentralized and modular approach remains highly cost-competitive for smaller-scale or variable operations, particularly in early adoption phases.
• Driver Experience: For fleets, the operation is nearly identical to traditional diesel. Refueling and performance remain familiar.

ROI of Hydrogen–Diesel Blends

Cost Comparison

Full electrification or hydrogen fuel cell conversions come with heavy costs for vehicles, infrastructure, and employee training. Although bankable. In contrast, hydrogen blending retains existing fleets and infrastructure, with no upfront cost to retrofit. A good interim step.

Incentives & Compliance

Hydrogen–diesel blends help fleets meet emissions mandates and position them for regulatory incentives—without waiting for full fleet replacement.

Real-World Use Cases

• Municipal & Utility Fleets: Entities like city transit or refuse collection can reduce emissions today by retrofitting existing vehicles, rather than waiting for new tech.
• ‍Heavy‑Duty Trucks & Long‑Haul Fleets: Blending allows long-range trucks to cut emissions without losing operational range or reliability.

The Future of Hydrogen Blending in Fleets

Hydrogen–diesel blending serves as a transition technology—helping fleets lower emissions today while infrastructure and zero-emission alternatives evolve.

FAQs on Hydrogen–Diesel Blends

1. How much emission reduction is possible?
   
   1. CO emissions may drop up to 83%, soot by 88% at high hydrogen blend levels. Source
   2. CO can reduce up to 85.4%, HC by 21.6%, and NOₓ by 59.3% in realistic test conditions. Source
2. Does performance suffer?‍
   
   1. No—many studies observe increased thermal efficiency. BSDFC decreased up to 27%, and BTE improved by up to 37%. Source
3. What does retrofitting involve?‍
   
   1. Installing a hydrogen delivery system that works alongside the existing diesel engine—quick, minimally disruptive, and engine-compatible.
4. What’s the cost?‍
   
   1. With ESSNA™’s model, there's no CapEx. You only pay for what hydrogen is used.
5. What are the fueling options?
   
   1. Options range from on-site hydrogen panels to mobile fueling units tailored to fleet needs.
6. Is this a long-term solution?
   
   1. Hydrogen blending is an effective bridge technology, enabling substantial emissions reduction now while transitioning toward cleaner futures.

Conclusion: A Practical Path to Cleaner Fleets

Hydrogen–diesel blending empowers fleet managers to deliver real emissions reductions—without disrupting operations or investing heavily upfront. With ESSNA’s™ retrofit technology and usage-based cost model, fleets can confidently reduce their carbon footprint, align with regulatory goals, and optimize their budget—all while maintaining diesel performance and reliability.

‍

Want to explore hydrogen dispensing for your site?

Contact us at: https://www.energysecurity-na.com/contact-us