Over the period of its 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025), Dongfeng Motor’s total investment in research and development is expected to reach 100 billion yuans (around 13 billion euros). And hydrogen made it to that list of investments.

In its roadmap, the Chinese car manufacturer does not rely on one energy source only. It incorporates hybrid technologies, battery-powered electric and hydrogen. According to a WEDZ (Wuhan Economic & Technological Development Zone) post, Dongfeng holds 298 approved invention patents in the field of hydrogen and is developing fuel cells to power cars, commercial vehicles, trucks as well as buses. This is an area in which the manufacturer is making some real effort.

To date, Dongfeng delivered thousands of vehicles, including hundreds of trucks. More information on the topic can be found in the press release, regarding a commercial vehicles’ exhibition in Wuhan where the company brings up hydrogen and ammonia.

As far as cars are concerned, we have recently written about the company’s joint venture with Nissan and the launch of the Venucia H2 fleet. However, the group is also working in this project under the brand Chery. During the GIMS (Geneva International Motor Show) in Qatar, the Chery unveiled the architecture of the Qpower model which allows the integration of several powertrains, including hydrogen.

Dongfeng has also designed a hydrogen-powered boat that cruises in the bay of Hong Kong and Macao, in the city of Foshan.

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Article written by Laurent Meillaud and translated by Mariem Ben Tili