Cespira

What Cespira does

Cespira is a Vancouver-headquartered joint venture, owned 55% by Westport Fuel Systems and 45% by Volvo Group (closed June 2024; rebranded from HPDI Technology in September 2024), that develops and commercializes High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) fuel systems for heavy-duty internal combustion engines. Its core technology — built around a patented dual concentric needle injector and a modular tank-to-tip fuel delivery architecture — enables diesel-cycle engines to operate on hydrogen, biomethane, CNG, LNG, and other renewable fuels while preserving diesel-equivalent power (~500 hp), torque (~1,850 lb-ft), efficiency (~10 mpg equivalent), and range (600+ miles). The HPDI H2 configuration operates at up to 600 bar, tolerates hydrogen blends up to 10%, and does not require ultra-pure hydrogen, differentiating it from fuel cell systems. Over 10,000 Volvo LNG trucks globally already use the technology.

Cespira monetizes HPDI primarily through (a) hardware sales — fuel system components supplied to OEMs at the factory level — and (b) engineering services and development agreements, with Volvo as the foundational OEM customer and a second OEM recently added for a multi-hundred-unit truck trial. Revenue grew 33% YoY to $22.2M in Q1 2026 with gross margin expanding to 31% (from 14%) and a narrowed net loss of $2.5M. The company serves heavy-duty trucking fleets (Asda, Disfrimur, KAJ Inrikes, Smålandslogistik, Linde Canada, Alfredsson Transport), targets off-road applications (mining, rail, marine, agricultural), and is pursuing geographic expansion into North America (ACT Expo 2026), India, and Latin America. The R&D and engineering center sits in Västra Frölunda/Gothenburg, Sweden (close to Volvo HQ), with manufacturing in Brescia, Italy (relocating to Canada and China). Carlos Gonzalez (ex-ZF/TRATON) became President and CEO in April 2025.

Name

Cespira

Legal name

HPDI Technology LP

Website

https://cespira.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2024

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Cespira is a Volvo–Westport joint venture that commercializes High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) fuel systems, enabling heavy-duty internal combustion engines to run on hydrogen, biomethane, CNG, and LNG with diesel-equivalent performance, serving OEMs and fleet operators globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Systems

NAICS

Motor Vehicle Transmission and Power Train Parts Manufacturing (33635), Motor Vehicle Gasoline Engine and Engine Parts Manufacturing (33631)

SIC

Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Truck & Commercial Vehicle Powertrain Manufacturing (Diesel/CNG/Hydrogen/Hybrid) (IMACABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid Powertrain Integration Manufacturing (ICE-HEV/PHEV modules) (IMACAHAJ), Engine Components & Subsystems Manufacturing (Blocks/Heads/Valvetrain/Pistons) (IMACAHAB)

Keywords

• HPDI fuel systems
• Hydrogen fuel injection
• Heavy-duty alternative fuels
• Biomethane engine technology
• Natural gas fuel systems

Headquarters

HQ city

Vancouver

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. HPDI Fuel System Components and Technology Licensing: Cespira generates revenue through the sale of HPDI fuel system components and technology licensing to OEMs and fleet operators. The joint venture with Volvo Group commercializes HPDI technology for heavy-duty engines, with revenue growing 33% YoY to $22.2M in Q1 2026 driven by additional volumes supplied to a second OEM for truck trials. Revenue is recognized under the equity method in Westport's financials.
2. Engineering Services and Development Agreements: Cespira generates revenue from engineering services and development agreements with OEM partners, including the 2024 development agreement with Volvo to integrate HPDI hydrogen fuel system into Volvo's 13-litre engine platform. Westport noted gross margin improvement to 31% from 14% driven by higher-margin engineering services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Cespira accelerates the decarbonization of heavy-duty transport by commercializing its HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection) fuel system technology, which enables heavy-duty internal combustion engines to run on hydrogen, biomethane, CNG, LNG, and other renewable fuels while delivering diesel-equivalent power, torque, range, and efficiency. The company sells modular 'tank to tip' fuel system components and technology licensing to vehicle OEMs (with Volvo Group as its flagship customer and shareholder) and provides engineering services and development agreements that adapt the HPDI platform into existing engine architectures for long-haul trucking and off-road heavy-duty applications.

Product overview

Cespira offers a modular HPDI (High Pressure Direct Injection) fuel system technology platform that enables heavy-duty internal combustion engines to run on low-carbon and zero-carbon fuels. The core product portfolio consists of HPDI LNG for liquefied natural gas/biomethane applications, HPDI H2 for hydrogen combustion, and HPDI 2.0 as an enhanced system version. The technology leverages existing diesel engine architecture with minimal modifications, using a patented dual concentric needle injector design. The company provides complete 'tank to tip' solutions through OEM factory integration, supporting Volvo trucks and targeting long-haul trucking decarbonization across Europe and North America.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• HPDI LNG Fuel System HPDI LNG is a complete on-engine and off-engine LNG/bioLNG fuel system for heavy-duty trucks, featuring a cryogenic LNG tank, integral on-chassis high-pressure pump, fuel pressure regulation, and high-pressure fuel rails feeding injectors. It enables diesel-class heavy-duty trucks to operate on LNG or renewable bioLNG with industry-leading fuel costs and CO2 emissions savings.
• HPDI H2 Hydrogen Fuel System HPDI H2 is a hydrogen High Pressure Direct Injection fuel system designed for heavy-duty compression-ignition engines. It uses a small quantity of ignition fuel to initiate combustion before introducing hydrogen, supporting high efficiency, robust operation without requiring ultra-pure hydrogen, and operation at 600 bar with hydrogen blends up to 10%. It delivers significantly higher performance than spark-ignition hydrogen ICEs and qualifies as a Zero Emission Vehicle under EU CO2 standards when powered by green hydrogen with renewable ignition fuels.
• Engineering Services and Development Agreements Engineering services and development agreements through which Cespira integrates the HPDI fuel system into OEM engine platforms on a multi-year contract basis. The offering includes application engineering, calibration, validation, and integration support for OEM partners and fleet customers. Gross margin on this stream improved to 31% from 14% as a higher-margin engineering services mix supported scale-up.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 10,000 Volvo LNG trucks deployed globally with HPDI technology; fleets have collectively avoided hundreds of thousands of tons of CO2 emissions annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and supporting.

• Volvo GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2024Cespira is a joint venture between Volvo Group and Westport Fuel Systems, formed to accelerate commercialization and global adoption of HPDI fuel system technology for long-haul and off-road heavy-duty applications. Volvo Group acquired a 45% interest in the JV for approximately US$28 million plus up to US$45 million in earn-out payments. The JV combines Volvo's commercial vehicle manufacturing expertise with Westport's HPDI technology. Volvo serves as a key OEM customer while the JV pursues additional OEM customers globally. Lars Stenqvist (CTO Volvo Group) and Dan Sceli (CEO Westport) provided leadership statements at the JV closing event. The JV agreement was signed in March 2024 and officially closed on June 3, 2024, with a celebratory event held at UBC on September 4, 2024.
• Westport Fuel SystemsflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 June 2024Westport Fuel Systems contributed HPDI assets, intellectual property, fixed assets, and business activities into the joint venture Cespira in exchange for a majority interest (55%). Westport retains HPDI technology that was nurtured for nearly 30 years. Dan Sceli (CEO of Westport) served as interim President of the JV, and Scott Baker (VP Product Development and Technology) and Anders Johansson (VP and Commercial Officer) hold leadership roles in the JV. The JV was headquartered in Vancouver, Canada.
• KAJ InrikescoreTechnology or Integration · 12 December 2023KAJ Inrikes, a Swedish 'green-focused' haulage company performing transport for IKEA, partnered in the December 2023 H2 HPDI demonstration in Älmhult, Sweden. The company hauled approximately 40 tons of IKEA home-furnishing products using a Volvo H2 HPDI-equipped prototype truck. KAJ Inrikes is the first heavy transport hauler in Sweden to be Euro VI compliant and is committed to supporting IKEA's transport decarbonization goals.
• SmålandslogistikcoreTechnology or Integration · 12 December 2023Smålandslogistik, a long haulage and distribution company committed to IKEA transport, participated in the December 2023 H2 HPDI demonstration in Älmhult, Sweden. The company has identified decarbonization as a key impact area and values the HPDI technology's foundation on traditional powertrain architecture with adaptability to biogas for fuel self-sufficiency.
• Metacon ABsupportingTechnology or Integration · 12 December 2023Sweden-based supplier of energy technology including electrolyzers and reformers for refining biogas into fossil-free hydrogen. Part of the hydrogen ecosystem demonstrated during the December 2023 H2 HPDI truck trial in Sweden. Commented on the milestone of hydrogen powering heavy-duty vehicles with higher efficiency and torque than corresponding diesel engines.
• Hydri ABsupportingTechnology or Integration · 12 December 2023Swedish hydrogen infrastructure company building and operating a complete network of green hydrogen refueling stations in Sweden. Part of the hydrogen ecosystem supporting H2 HPDI demonstrations. Contributing to Sweden's largest hydrogen station network rollout from 2024 onward.
• ScaniasupportingTechnology or Integration · 12 December 2023Scania participated in the December 2023 H2 HPDI demonstration, with Ola Henriksson (Senior Product Manager) commenting on the technology. Scania views hydrogen IC engine technology as an interesting decarbonization pathway with high maturity and quick time to market, aligned with its purpose of driving the shift towards more sustainable transport systems. Westport has conducted development programs with Scania targeting commercial application around 2027-2028.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Westport Fuel Systems: Parent of Cespira (55% owner) and original developer of HPDI technology over nearly 30 years. Continues to develop natural gas and hydrogen engine components and is the most direct technology comparator in the HPDI ecosystem.
• Cummins Westport (CWI): Joint venture between Cummins and Westport for spark-ignited natural gas engines. Competes with HPDI in the natural gas heavy-duty truck market, although HPDI's high-pressure direct injection offers superior performance vs. CWI's port-injection approach.
• Scania: Swedish heavy-duty truck OEM with active hydrogen ICE development program. Westport/Cespira has conducted development programs targeting Scania with commercial application around 2027-2028, making Scania both a potential customer and a competing hydrogen ICE developer.

Broad incumbents

• Cummins: Major diesel and natural gas engine manufacturer for heavy-duty trucks, including the Cummins Westport JV for natural gas engines. Competes with HPDI in heavy-duty powertrains and is also developing hydrogen ICE and fuel cell powertrains through its Accelera segment.
• Bosch Mobility Solutions: Global supplier of automotive fuel injection systems and heavy-duty powertrain components. Develops hydrogen direct-injection injectors and supply fuel systems to commercial vehicle OEMs, directly competing with HPDI's core injector technology.
• Accelera by Cummins: Cummins' new power solutions business covering hydrogen fuel cells, battery-electric powertrains, and related components for commercial vehicles. Competes with HPDI across multiple zero-emission powertrain alternatives.

Emerging players

• Ballard Power Systems: Leading hydrogen fuel cell stack manufacturer for heavy-duty mobility (trucks, buses, rail). Competes with HPDI in the long-haul decarbonization market via a different powertrain architecture (PEM fuel cells vs H2 ICE).
• Hexagon Purus: Supplies high-pressure hydrogen storage tanks for heavy-duty trucks and other mobility applications. Adjacent/integrated component supplier to HPDI hydrogen systems, which require 600-bar hydrogen storage.
• Hydrogenious LOHC Technologies: German company developing liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) technology for hydrogen storage and transport. Addresses hydrogen infrastructure challenges that affect HPDI H2 commercial deployment timing.
• Plug Power: US-based hydrogen fuel cell and green hydrogen infrastructure company. Competes in hydrogen mobility and infrastructure with broader geographic presence in North America, affecting the H2 HPDI deployment environment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/cespiraofficial
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cespira

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cespira