The automotive world is at a turning point, with several different routes leading towards zero-emissions transportation. While electric vehicles seem to be leading the charge for now, an enticing alternative comes in the form of hydrogen combustion vehicles.
Hydrogen combustion vehicles are exciting for a number of reasons. They promise to provide the same analog thrills that you find in regular combustion vehicles while at the same time emitting mostly water as a byproduct. They also promise to deliver much more range than electric vehicles and refueling will take a fraction of the time that it takes to charge an EV.
While still a fairly niche alternative, there are several companies out there spearheading the development of the technology. From companies that produce engines for heavy machinery to more traditional automakers, we list ten of the leaders in the world of hydrogen combustion.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from various manufacturer websites and other authoritative sources, including TopSpeed.
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10
Toyota
A front 3/4 action shot of a 2024 Toyota GR Corolla H2
When it comes to developing technology for zero-emissions power, Toyota is one of the world’s leading companies. They have made their stance pretty clear in the last couple of years, saying that until solid-state batteries can be put into play, electric vehicles simply aren’t viable. Hence, they’ve invested a ton in the development of hydrogen powertrains.
The GR Corolla H2
Alongside the company’s hydrogen fuel cell vehicle, the Toyota Mirai, the company has also been testing a concept hydrogen combustion vehicle. The concept builds on the small 1.6-liter three-cylinder used in the GR Corolla, modified to produce power from an injection of hydrogen.
A GR Corolla using the powertrain was entered into the Super Taikyu endurance race in Japan, with the aim of proving how the engine can work in a high-pressure environment. The results from the race were staggering, with power efficiency being better than record before. Refueling time was also brought down all the way to 90 seconds.
9
Volvo
Front 3/4 shot of a Volvo Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truck
While known around the world for the ultra safe cars that they produce, one of Volvo’s larger ventures is the development of trucks. They are one of the world’s leading manufacturers when it comes to semi-trucks, producing a wide range of products. It is actually in this realm where their hydrogen efforts are most prominent.
A Hydrogen Powered Trucking Network
Alongside developing hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, Volvo has done some great work in the world of hydrogen powered combustion engines. They have claimed that they are developing trucks that will run on hydrogen power and that road tests will begin in 2026. They plan to launch the vehicles commercially by the end of the decade.
Beyond this, Volvo has also invested heavily in hydrogen research. The company has initiated a VICE scholarship. Two PhD students are selected that will conduct research at the Chalmers University of Technology and Lund University, both located in Sweden. The research conducted will be towards the further development of hydrogen applications.
8
Suzuki
Front 3/4 shot of a 2025 Suzuki Burgman 400
Suzuki is not often a brand that gets much recognition over in North America. It’s a shame, because they deliver a ton of products that we wish we could get our hands on, like the Jimny. However, one of their biggest ventures is in the world of motorbikes and scooters, which is where they have made leaps and bounds in the development of hydrogen power.
A Long History of Hydrogen Scooters
Suzuki’s journey with hydrogen begins all the way back in 2007, when they showcased a concept called the Crosscage. This motorcycle utilized electric motors and a fuel cell. Since then, the company has released a number of Burgman scooters over the years which run on hydrogen power.
In 2023, however, Suzuki upped the ante by showcasing a modified version of the Burgman 400 scooter. Instead of using hydrogen fuel cells, it was motivated by a hydrogen combustion engine. The Burgman featured an extended wheelbase to accomodate the hydrogen fuel tank.
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7
Kawasaki
Another company which has made its name in the world of motorcycles is Kawasaki. They have created some of the most iconic sports bikes to have ever been built. They are also one of the world leaders when it comes to the push towards carbon neutrality and they have achieved feats with hydrogen that no one else has, as of yet.
The First Demonstration of a Hydrogen Combustion Bike
One of the hardest parts of developing a hydrogen combustion vehicle is the fact that it needs larger fuel tanks compared to traditional combustion vehicles. This is something that Kawasaki addressed by developing a bike that replaced its saddlebags with additional fuel storage.
The bike uses a modified version of the engine found in a Ninja H2, which is a supercharged inline-four. Kawasaki used this bike to achieve the world’s first public demonstration run of a hydrogen combustion motorcycle by a mass-production motorcycle manufacturer. The run took place in 2024 around Suzuka circuit.
6
Cummins
Cummins is a name that should be familiar to just about any enthusiast. Founded in 1919, the American company has developed powerful engines that have motivated some of America’s most iconic pickups, like the RAM 2500. However, their operations span much wider than commercial vehicles, and they have committed to developing hydrogen-powered engines.
A 15-Liter Hydrogen Powered Behemoth
Back in 2022, Cummins unveiled the design for a 15-liter hydrogen powerplant that was built on their new fuel-agnostic platform. This essentially means that engines would share a lot of their core components regardless of which fuel they were designed to use. The company set the goal of putting the engine into full production by 2027.
5
Daimler
Side shot of a 2025 Mercedes-Benz GenH2
As many will know, Daimler is part of the Mercedes-Benz Group. While Mercedes deals in luxury vehicles, Daimler focuses on other automotive areas, such as semi-trucks. The Mercedes-Benz Special Truck dviision, which is Daimler owned, is where much of the company’s hydrogen efforts shine through.
Hydrogen Trucks and Project WaVe
Mercedes-Benz Special Trucks and its partner, Mörtlbauer, have already developed two prototype vehicles on the Unimog U 430 platform, which utilizes a hydrogen powertrain. More importantly, Daimler has claimed that their hydrogen combustion engine can be utilized throughout their fleet with only minor modifications, used similarly to their diesel engines.
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4
MAN
A shot of the 2023 MAN H4576 Hydrogen Engine on display
Another giant in the world of trucks is MAN. They are one of the biggest names in the trucking world and we’re sure that just about everyone has at least seen the badge on a truck during their daily commute. In an effort to make trucking cheaper and more efficient, the company has produced their own hydrogen combustion engine.
A Seamlessly Swappable Hydrogen Engine
Back in 2023, MAN unveiled their MAN H4576 hydrogen combustion engine. Using their experience developing engines, they based the H4576 on the existing D3876 diesel engine which powers many of their trucks. A staggering 80 percent of the parts on the new 16.8-liter hydrogen engine are identical to the parts in the diesel engine.
The truck that currently uses the diesel engine, the PistenBully 800, is designed in a way that it can seamlessly integrate the new hydrogen powertrain.
3
Bosch
While not everyone is aware of this fact, Bosch is currently the world’s leading manufacturer of car parts. They have built their reputation by developing parts for a number of high profile names in the motoring world. In an effort to get ahead of the curve, they have leveraged their experience to develop their own hydrogen combustion engine.
A Hydrogen Powered Le Mans Car
While much of the application of hydrogen thus far on this list has been in trucks and motorcycles, Bosch actually helped develop a purpose-built high-performance race car. They partnered with Ligier Automotive back in 2023 to achieve the feat, utilizing the Ligier JS2 R platform.
The car was built to compete in Le Mans and made use of a three-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 hydrogen engine. It produced a whopping 563 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque thanks to a reworked injection system. In its demonstration run, it performed well, covering roughly 3,100 miles.
2
NamX
NamX is a name that people who aren’t in the know aren’t likely to have heard. That’s because it’s a new startup company, with French-Morrocan roots, which aims to solely develop hydrogen-powered cars. They currently have a hydrogen crossover available for preorder as long as you have the cash to put up.
The NamX HUV
The breakout brand’s debut vehicle is called the HUV, or Hydrogen Utility Vehicle. It is a pretty stunning car, designed by world-renowned Pininfarina. The HUV starts at €75,000 and can be preordered for delivery in Q4 of 2026. Preorders are only being accepted if you front cash, though.
The HUV can produce as much as 550 horsepower from its hydrogen V-8, has a claimed zero to sixty time of 4.3 seconds in its sportiest form, and a claimed range of 800 kilometers. NamX also seems to be aware that the network for hydrogen refueling is not quite where it needs to be, offering portable capsules that you replace to refuel your HUV.
1
HySE
A front 3/4 shot of the 2025 HySE-X2
Perhaps one of the core leaders in the industry when it comes to hydrogen combustion engines is HySE. This company represents a collaboration between several other brands on this list. Kawasaki, Suzuki, Honda, Yamaha, Toyota and DENSO CORPORATION have all contributed to this fantastic project.
A Dakar Racer and More
The Dakar Mission 1000 is a grueling off-road race that aims to put new automotive technologies through their paces. This was what HySE had their eyes set on. In 2024, the brand placed fourth with the HySE-X1 racer, a fully hydrogen powered buggy, which is a fantastic result.
Not quite satisfied, HySE has been working on a successor, the HySE-X2. It makes use of a supercharged inline-four which runs on hydrogen and features an improved chassis design over the outgoing model.
