Cummins has announced that development of a medium-duty 6.7-liter and a heavy-duty 15-liter hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) has begun.

The objective of the new hydrogen engines, which are based on next-generation platforms, is to achieve zero carbon emissions, increased power density, and greater thermal efficiency.

The 6.7-liter hydrogen engine will be developed for medium-duty trucks, buses, and construction equipment like excavators and wheel loaders. Heavy-duty long-haul trucks might benefit from a new 15-liter chassis that could enable hydrogen-fueled engines.

Cummins’ global technical centers will collaborate to bring the H2-ICE concept to commercial viability on a global scale. A new financial allocation from the UK Government, delivered through the Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), will finance part of the development work to be done at Cummins Darlington plant, recognizing the potential for Cummins H2-ICE to play a key role in de-carbonizing transport from 2025 onwards.

“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’ leadership and deep knowledge in the global natural gas vehicle market and gaseous-fueled technologies will enable us to develop these new hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines for medium and heavy-duty markets,” added Padmanabhan. We are ready to accelerate the pace of our H2-ICE program to ensure Cummins continues to be a leader in this new, exciting technology.”