Kubota introduces 3.8-liter hydrogen engine, focuses on carbon-neutrality

Specifications of Kubota’s hydrogen-powered engine include 3.8 liter and four cylinders for multiple applications, making it a versatile alternative fuel solution

Kubota is on its way toward carbon neutrality with numerous developments, including its new 3.8-liter hydrogen engine.

Kubota featured new engine developments using carbon-free fuels, hybrid engine solutions and engines with greater fuel efficiency at CONEXPO-CON/AGG in Las Vegas.

Similar to gasoline engines, the 3.8-liter hydrogen engine offers spark ignition while packing a punch at 85 kW – which is also the power required for a 45 kVA generator. Specifications of the engine include 3.8 liter and four cylinders for multiple applications, making it a versatile alternative fuel solution.

Along with the 3.8-liter hydrogen engine, Kubota announced last year that all Kubota diesel engines in Europe were approved to use paraffin-based fuels that comply with European standard EN15940. This permits the use of gas to liquid (GTL) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) fuels complying with the standard, enabling a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 90% with no engine modifications needed.

To expand on this, Kubota announces the use of HVO is now approved for use in Kubota diesel engines in the United States. 

Kubota’s new D1803 P1 Hybrid engine as an additional hybrid solution. This engine is compact and robust with an integrated motor generator embedded within the flywheel housing. With the P1 Hybrid engine, the motor only assists for the brief periods in which high output is required. Additionally, necessary components are provided by Kubota, so customer development resources can be kept to a minimum.

The switch between engine and electric motor drive will also come into play with Kubota’s D1105 P2 Hybrid engine. Offering a rated output of 28.4 hp at 3,000 rpm, the D1105 P2 Hybrid also offers the ability to transition between diesel engine drive and electric motor drive while in operation. In areas where emissions or noise are a concern, the engine can be stopped and switched to the electric motor. The start of production on the D1105 P2 Hybrid is scheduled for 2025.

Kubota also introduces its V3307 Micro-Hybrid engine, slated for production later this year. The engine has a straightforward design with three main components: a DC converter, a lithium-ion battery and a motor generator attached to the existing engine model. 

Kubota states its belief that a hybrid system combining engine and electrical power is an effective solution for reducing CO2 from industrial engines, which require high output and high load. With that in mind, Kubota is promoting three hybrid solutions: the newly introduced D1803 P1, the D1105 P2 and the V3307 P0 Micro-Hybrid.