Voith is strengthening the transition toward hydrogen-powered mobility through advanced hydrogen storage technologies designed to address one of the most critical challenges in the hydrogen economy: the safe, efficient, and scalable storage of hydrogen for transportation applications. Leveraging its expertise in carbon-fiber-reinforced composites and automotive manufacturing, the company has developed a portfolio of hydrogen storage solutions aimed at accelerating the decarbonization of heavy-duty transport.
At the core of Voith's technology portfolio is its Carbon4Tank platform, a Type IV high-pressure hydrogen storage tank engineered for commercial vehicle applications. The tanks are designed to store gaseous hydrogen at pressures of up to 700 bar while maintaining a lightweight structure through the use of carbon-fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) materials. According to Voith, the tanks are manufactured using a proprietary towpreg filament winding process, which enables precise fiber placement, improved process consistency, and reduced material consumption compared with conventional manufacturing methods. The technology is intended to deliver high storage capacity, enhanced safety, and automotive-grade durability for hydrogen-powered vehicles.
A key differentiator of Voith's approach is the industrialization of composite tank production. The company combines automated manufacturing processes, digital quality control, traceability systems, and smart factory technologies to support high-volume production while maintaining stringent performance and safety requirements. Voith notes that its Carbon4Tank platform is lighter than comparable tanks produced using traditional wet filament winding methods, helping vehicle manufacturers maximize payload capacity and driving range. The tanks are certified according to UN ECE R134 regulations for on-road use, meeting stringent safety standards for hydrogen storage systems.
Building upon its tank technology, Voith has developed the Plug & Drive H2 Storage System, a fully integrated hydrogen storage solution for heavy-duty trucks. Rather than supplying only the storage vessel, the company provides a complete modular system that incorporates hydrogen tanks, valves, pressure regulators, piping, electrical controls, software, and vehicle interfaces. This platform-based architecture is designed to simplify integration for truck manufacturers and fleet operators while supporting both hydrogen fuel-cell and hydrogen combustion-engine powertrains.
The storage system is engineered to support long-haul transportation requirements. Depending on configuration, the platform can provide enough hydrogen capacity to enable driving ranges of up to 1,000 kilometers per refueling while allowing refueling times of approximately 10 minutes. Modular configurations ranging from a basic core storage unit to larger multi-tank systems enable manufacturers to tailor hydrogen capacity according to vehicle duty cycles and operational requirements.
Safety remains a central focus of the technology. Voith incorporates pressure sensors, pressure-relief devices, certified valves, leak detection measures, and extensive validation procedures, including burst, crash, fire, and durability testing. The vertical tank installation concept further enhances crash protection for critical system components. These measures are intended to ensure safe operation under demanding commercial vehicle conditions while supporting regulatory compliance across international markets.
Beyond performance and safety, Voith is also addressing sustainability across the product lifecycle. The company is developing recycling processes for CFRP materials used in hydrogen storage tanks and is pursuing circular-economy strategies to recover and reuse composite materials from manufacturing scrap and end-of-life storage systems. This effort aims to reduce environmental impact while improving the long-term sustainability of hydrogen storage technologies.
As global demand for zero-emission freight transportation continues to grow, Voith believes hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles will play an increasingly important role in decarbonizing long-haul transport. Through advanced composite tank technologies, integrated storage systems, and scalable manufacturing processes, the company is positioning itself to support the widespread adoption of hydrogen as a practical energy carrier for the next generation of heavy-duty vehicles.
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About Voith
Voith is a global technology company serving the energy, paper, raw materials, transport, and automotive sectors. Through its Voith HySTech business, the company develops advanced hydrogen storage technologies that combine expertise in carbon-fiber composites, automotive engineering, and industrial manufacturing. Its portfolio includes high-pressure hydrogen tanks and integrated storage systems designed to support the decarbonization of commercial transportation and the broader hydrogen economy.
