Cummins introduces 15-litre hydrogen engine, expects full production in 2027, Auto News, ET Auto

New Delhi: Engine maker Cummins Inc has recently unveiled its 15-liter hydrogen engine at ACT Expo in Long Beach, California. The engine is built on the company’s new fuel-agnostic platform, where below the head gasket, each fuel type’s engine has largely similar components, and above the head gasket, each has different components for different fuel types.

This version, with expected full production in 2027, pairs with clean, zero-carbon hydrogen fuel, the company said in a media release.

Srikanth Padmanabhan, President, Engine Business, Cummins Inc, said, “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 achieved production power and torque targets (over 810 ft-lbs torque and 290 hp from the medium-duty engine) as of now.

The company said that additional testing on its “more advanced prototypes will begin soon”.

According to Cummins, the engine will be a zero-carbon fuelled solution for multiple markets. It intends to produce hydrogen internal combustion engines in both the 15-liter and 6.7-liter displacements, believing that these engines reduce GHG emissions this decade, ultimately accelerating carbon reduction.

Accelerated market adoption of hydrogen engine powered vehicles is driven by the technology’s high technology maturity, low initial cost, extended vehicle range, fast fuelling, powertrain installation commonality, and end-user familiarity.

Daryl Wilson, Executive Director of the Hydrogen Council, said, “Heavy-duty trucking is critical to the global economy and is one of the hard-to-abate sectors of the economy. We are encouraged by progress at Cummins in the development of hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engines and look forward to continued advancements that can help us reach cost-effective decarbonization of economies worldwide.”

Cummins said the charge included inventory write-downs, reserves on accounts receivable, impairment of a joint venture investment with Russian truck maker Kamaz Inc and other costs.