PHINIA is an innovative leader in the automotive and transportation sectors, focused on delivering sustainable solutions to address the growing challenges of decarbonisation.
Interview with John Lipinski, Vice President and General Manager, Europe at PHINIA.
A brief description of the company and its activities.
John Lipinski: Our core activities involve developing and integrating fuel systems, alternative fuels, hydrogen technologies and other advanced emission-reduction systems to help our customers meet the increasingly stringent global emissions regulations.
At PHINIA, we understand the need for a pragmatic, long-term approach to achieving net zero goals and our work spans multiple continents and market segments. We collaborate closely with a wide range of partners, from industry leaders to universities, to accelerate the development and adoption of clean technologies that support the future of mobility.
What are the main areas of activity of PHINIA?
J.L: Across commercial vehicles, industrial applications and light vehicles we develop fuel systems, electrical systems, and aftermarket solutions keeping vehicles and industrial applications running for longer and slowing the need for replacement parts. This approach, combined with our remanufacturing programs, support our circular model of sustainable mobility.
We are also investing in alternative fuel technologies that offer the potential for enhanced sustainability. Fuels like hydrogen, ethanol, and methanol have the power to dramatically reduce carbon emissions, and we will continue to explore and serve as leaders in the pursuit of carbon-neutral and carbon-free solutions.
What’s the news about new products and services?
J.L: In 2024, PHINIA has made significant strides in developing and testing hydrogen technologies. One of the exciting developments is our H2 van, which highlights our commitment to hydrogen as a viable solution for the future of transportation. We are also fostering innovation through initiatives like the hydrogen race car challenge, where our global engineering teams compete to design and build the most efficient hydrogen-powered race cars. These initiatives are not just about technology, but about engaging the hearts and minds of people within our organisation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
We continue to see success with our alternative fuel systems in countries like Brazil, where we have fleets operating on 100 percent ethanol. This is a prime example of how we can leverage existing combustion infrastructure to make meaningful reductions in carbon emission today. Furthermore, in countries like India, where compressed natural gas (CNG) engines are already widespread, we are working to supplement CNG with hydrogen for a more sustainable solution.
Finally, we continue to innovate our core fuel systems technology, developing cost-effective technology that is helping customers meet emissions regulations and improve their fuel efficiency.
What are the ranges of products and services at PHINIA?
J.L: PHINIA offers a broad range of solutions that cater to different segments of the transportation market. Our primary focus is on providing fuel and electric systems and aftermarket products that integrate into both light- and heavy-duty vehicles. These systems are designed to reduce the carbon footprint of existing combustion engines, offering a more immediate solution for customers looking to reduce emissions without completely overhauling their vehicles.
What is the state of the market where you are currently active?
J.L: The market for sustainable transportation solutions is undergoing a major transformation, driven largely by tightening emissions regulations. In urban areas, there is uptake of EVs, especially for applications that involve lighter loads and shorter driving distances. However, when it comes to more demanding applications like long-haul trucks or operations in harsh environments, EVs often aren’t appropriate, and this is where fuel-efficiency combustion engines, hydrogen and other alternative fuels come into play.
In regions like the EU and the US, regulations are becoming stricter, with countries pushing more zero-emission and ultra-low-emission vehicles. These regulatory pressures are accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles, but there are still challenges related to cost, infrastructure and consumer acceptance. For example, the cost of EVs remains a barrier for widespread adoption, as is the charging infrastructure.
Globally, we are also seeing regional differences in how different countries are approaching decarbonisation. In countries with established ethanol or CNG infrastructure, like Brazil and India, there is immediate potential to reduce carbon emissions through alternative fuels. In contrast, markets like Europe and the US are focusing more on EV adoption, albeit with hydrogen still a developing alternative.
What can you tell us about market trends?
J.L: The automotive market is increasingly focused on reducing emissions, but the path to decarbonisation is not one-size-fits-all. While EVs are being adopted, there is an increasing understanding that they may not be the best fit for every application. For instance, in urban areas, EVs are well-suited for light-duty vehicles and short trips, but for long-haul trucking or commercial delivery vehicles, more fuel efficient combustion engines or alternative fuels are more viable alternatives due to their ability to handle longer distances and heavier duty operations.
There is a growing recognition that the complete shift to electric or hydrogen vehicles may be unrealistic and that the future will see a mix of solutions available, including alternative and low-carbon fuels alongside EVs and hydrogen depending on the use case.
What are the most innovative products and services marketed?
J.L: PHINIA’s work with hydrogen technology demonstrates the commitment to innovation and the company’s dedication to pioneering new solutions for the future of mobility.
Our H2ICE van highlights the potential of hydrogen in commercial applications and we see this as a major step forward in the evolution of clean transport solutions. Alongside this, PHINIA’s work with ethanol and hydrogen supplementation represents an overhaul in traditional thinking so that we may better leverage existing infrastructure and fuel systems to make immediate reductions in carbon emissions. These initiatives are helping to bridge the gap between traditional combustion engines and a future of low and zero-carbon vehicles.
What estimations do you have for the rest of 2024?
J.L: EV growth has stalled thanks to a lack of consumer demand, highlighting the difficulty in pursuing a pure-EV future. There is no silver bullet to low carbon transport, so we predict the industry shifting to future where a mixture of technologies will help drive down carbon emissions.
What will this look like? First, we need to keep vehicles already on the road running efficiently, minimizing their emissions while reducing the environmental burden of manufacturing new vehicles. Second, we must bring to market carbon neutral and carbon free fuels, such as hydrogen, for combustion engines. And third, consumers and transport operators will choose the carbon emission reducing solution that best meets their needs.