Volvo, Westport ink venture to cut emissions from long-haul transport

Volvo Group and Westport Fuel Systems, supplier of advanced alternative fuel delivery systems and components, have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to establish a joint venture to accelerate the commercialization and global adoption of Westport's HPDI fuel system technology for long-haul and off-road applications.

Westport’s HPDI fuel system is a high-performance solution supporting significant carbon reductions in hard-to-abate sectors like heavy-duty and off-road mobility, according to a joint release from the companies. HPDI enables trucking and off-road equipment manufacturers to address the challenges of meeting the regulatory requirements of Euro 7 and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency while offering end users affordable options that are powered by carbon neutral fuels like biogas, zero carbon fuels like green hydrogen, and other renewable fuels.

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While Volvo will be a key customer of the joint venture, the joint venture's mandate will be to enhance the commercialization of HPDI through the addition of new trucking and equipment manufacturers as customers, according to the release.

Westport will contribute current HPDI assets and activities including related fixed assets, intellectual property, and business into the joint venture. Volvo will acquire a 45% interest in the joint venture for about $28 million plus up to an additional $45 million, depending on the performance of the venture.

Volvo’s goal is to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emission-enabled products, solutions, and services by 2040, according to the company. Volvo pushes a three-pronged approach: battery-electric, fuel-cell electric, and internal combustion engines.

“Decarbonization with internal combustion engines running on renewable fuels, especially with HPDI, plays an important part in sustainable solutions. HPDI has been on the road in Volvo trucks for over five years and is a proven technology that allows customers to significantly reduce CO2 emissions in LBG (Liquefied Biogas) applications here and now and is a potential avenue for hydrogen,” said Lars Stenqvist, chief technology officer at Volvo.

“Westport is advancing fuel system solutions to help our customers affordably address the most pressing challenge of carbon reduction while continuing to utilize existing manufacturing infrastructure,” said Westport CEO David Johnson. “The joint venture with Volvo is a natural extension of both companies’ commitment to accelerating global carbon reduction and we are proud to partner with such a bold supporter of the future of the internal combustion engine.”

Completion of the joint venture is conditional on the successful negotiations and execution of a definitive investment agreement, joint venture agreement, supply agreement and development agreement, according to the release. The venture is expected to launch in the first half of 2024.