What you need to know:
- Westport will debut its compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel storage system paired with Cespira's HPDI fuel system at ACT Expo 2026, showcasing clean trucking technology for heavy-duty fleets
- The system is installed on a Volvo VNL 300 truck with 500 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque, delivering diesel-like efficiency using CNG for long-haul operations
- The platform operates at approximately 700 bar high pressure to support diesel-cycle engines and expand HPDI and CNG adoption in North American trucking, alongside growing use of renewable natural gas (RNG)
- The HPDI system is hydrogen-ready, enabling fleets to transition from CNG or RNG to hydrogen blends and eventually full hydrogen use while leveraging existing natural gas infrastructure for lower-carbon transportation
Westport will present the first North American demonstration of its compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel storage system paired with Cespira's on-engine HPDI fuel system next week at the ACT Expo 2026 in Las Vegas.
The integrated system, developed through Westport's joint venture with Volvo Group, is installed on a next-generation Volvo VNL 300 heavy-duty truck, which is rated at a healthy 500 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque.
According to the company, the CNG-powered configuration achieves fuel efficiency comparable to the diesel-powered version of the VNL platform, highlighting its potential as a lower-carbon alternative for long-haul trucking applications.
[Related: Volvo Group and Westport announce new HPDI joint venture]
In short, the system is designed for diesel-cycle combustion engines that rely on in-cylinder, high-pressure gaseous fuel injection, including those equipped with Cespira's HPDI fuel system. Operating at approximately 700 bar, the system is intended to expand the use of high-pressure gaseous fueling technology in heavy-duty applications. As Westport further points out, HPDI technology is already commercially deployed in more than 30 countries and powers over 10,000 trucks globally using liquefied natural gas (LNG), adoption in North America, however, has been limited due to a regional preference for CNG.
The company says this new CNG fuel storage system is designed to bridge that gap, enabling broader use of HPDI-based solutions in the North American market.
Capable of operating on hydrogen fuel
Westport confirms the HPDI engine platform is designed for multi-fuel use, capable of operating not only on natural gas, but also hydrogen, or blends of both. This allows fleets to begin with lower-cost CNG or renewable natural gas (RNG) and gradually transition toward hydrogen over time.
[RELATED: As electric truck demand slows, CNG and RNG-powered trucks accelerate]
Interestingly, hydrogen can be introduced in stages, starting as a blend with natural gas and eventually moving to 100% hydrogen as availability and economics improve. The company explains that this approach is intended to support a gradual decarbonization pathway without requiring immediate infrastructure changes.
The company also points out that hydrogen can be delivered through existing natural gas pipeline systems, avoiding the high costs of liquefaction and distribution.
"Showcasing our next‑generation high‑pressure CNG system at ACT Expo marks a defining milestone for the future of clean transportation," said Westport CEO Dan Sceli. "By combining advanced high‑pressure storage with Cespira's proven HPDI technology, we're demonstrating that fleets can achieve diesel performance and efficiency using widely available natural gas. This is more than a product introduction—it's a meaningful step toward delivering real emissions reductions with compelling operating economics for the North American market."
Clean Trucking will be covering the show extensively, so expect plenty of news to come beginning this Sunday from Las Vegas.
