At ACT Expo in Long Beach, California, Cummins Inc. revealed their 15-liter hydrogen engine. This engine is constructed on Cummins’ new fuel-agnostic architecture; below the head gasket, each fuel type’s engine has basically identical components, while above the head gasket, each fuel type’s engine has unique components.
This model, which is projected to reach full production by 2027, couples with clean, zero-carbon hydrogen fuel, a major enabler of Cummins’ ambition to assist customers cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by going further, quicker.
“We’ve established significant goals as part of our PLANET 2050 sustainability strategy, including a target of zero emissions,” said Srikanth Padmanabhan, President, Engine Business, Cummins Inc. “Reducing well-to-wheels carbon emissions requires innovation of both energy sources and power solutions. While use cases for battery electric and fuel cell electric powertrains are promising, the pairing of green hydrogen in the proven technology of internal combustion engines provides an important complement to future zero emissions solutions.”
Cummins announced the testing of hydrogen internal combustion (ICE) technology in July 2021 and has already achieved production power and torque targets with remarkable early results (over 810 ft-lbs torque and 290 hp from the medium-duty engine). Soon, additional testing on the more advanced prototypes of Cummins will commence. With its extensive worldwide manufacturing presence, Cummins is able to rapidly grow output.
Given the variety in duty cycles and operating situations, the industry requires numerous solutions to suit the requirements of all on- and off-highway clients and applications.
The engine will be a zero-carbon solution for a variety of markets. Cummins plans to build both 15-liter and 6.7-liter hydrogen internal combustion engines, claiming that these engines will enable the industry to take action and cut GHG emissions in this decade, hence expediting carbon reduction.
“Working with Cummins to navigate the journey to zero emissions means working with an experienced partner that has the right knowledge, tools, and resources to ensure a smooth transition,” said Jim Nebergall, General Manger, Hydrogen Engines at Cummins Inc. “Our customers are responding favorably to this practical technology. These engines look like engines, they sound like engines, and fit where engines normally fit,” he continued.
Hydrogen internal combustion engines employ zero-carbon fuel at a lower initial cost than fuel cell or battery electric vehicles, with no vehicle modification. The rapid market adoption of hydrogen-powered vehicles is driven by the technology’s high technological maturity, low starting cost, extended vehicle range, quick refueling, common powertrain installation, and familiarity with end users.
“Heavy-duty trucking is critical to the global economy and is one of the hard-to-abate sectors of the economy,” said Daryl Wilson, Executive Director of the Hydrogen Council. “We are encouraged by progress at Cummins in the development of hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines and look forward to continued advancements that can help us reach cost-effective decarbonization of economies worldwide.”
