Global power technology leader, Cummins, has launched a 15-litre hydrogen engine.
Making its debut at the ACT Expo in Long Beach, California, the X15H is built on a 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.
It is expected to go into full production in 2027.
Cummins said it intends to produce a hydrogen internal combustion engine also in a 6.7-litre displacement.
These engines will enable the industry to take action and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the decade, ultimately accelerating carbon reduction according to Cummins.
Cummins said the X-15H pairs with clean, zero-carbon hydrogen fuel, a key enabler of Cummins’ strategy to go further faster to help customers reduce GHG emissions.
“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,” he said.
“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 made what it calls impressive early results, already achieving production power and torque targets (over 810 ft-lbs torque and 290 hp from the medium-duty engine).
Additional testing on Cummins’ more advanced prototypes will begin soon.
The engine will be a zero-carbon fuelled solution for multiple markets.
With Cummins’ significant global manufacturing footprint, the company can quickly scale production.
The industry, according to Cummins, needs multiple solutions to meet the needs of all on- and off-highway customers and all applications considering the variation in duty cycles and operating environments.
“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 favourably 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 use zero-carbon fuel at a lower initial price of a fuel cell or battery electric vehicle with little modification to today’s vehicles.
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.
“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 decarbonisation of economies worldwide.”
Cummins also showed off a natural gas version of the X15 based on an engine already used in other parts of the world.
The Cummins X15N will offer ratings up to 500 hp and 1,850 ft-lbs of torque and will have a similar physical footprint as its existing 12-litre natural gas engine although it weighs less than the existing 12L natural gas engine and about 500 pounds less than a comparable diesel engine.