A new engine breakthrough has been propelled by an engine that runs on the most overlooked fuel in history. The automotive world is furiously searching for the next low-emission fuel that can replace diesel as the best fuel for long-distance hauling, an industry that creates huge amounts of carbon. As the automotive industry continues with its exploration of the alternative fuel sector, one company has quietly developed a new engine that could dethrone the EV and its unparalleled dominance in the sector.
The automotive sector is exploring multiple avenues to find the fuel of tomorrow
As we have been faced with the uncomfortable reality that our reliance on fossil fuels has had a disastrous effect on the planet’s environment, the focus in the automotive sector has been searching for the next fuel that not only can propel us into the future, but also keep the environment safe by producing as few emissions as possible.
That search has led the industry down a rabbit hole that not even Alice would be able to make sense of. The industry has made huge investments in alternative fuels like electricity(pioneered by Tesla and other EV makers), hydrogen(Hyundai has a hydrogen-powered lineup), and other less likely sources. While these fuels are promising, they all have their own drawbacks and limitations.
There is one fuel that has been overlooked by the automotive sector
While the emergence of the EV was a step in the right direction, and hydrogen serves as an emission-free alternative, they both suffer from the restrictions of the time as the EV relies heavily on the electricity grid that is powered by fossil fuels and hydrogen lacks the investment in infrastructure to make it a viable fuel for the future. There is another avenue that the industry is yet to explore fully.
That is all about to change as one company has unveiled its newest rendition of the engine of the future. What powers this engine is what makes this whole project special. The industry is open to innovation, and many have invested massive amounts of resources to find that elusive fuel that can continue to drive the human race forward while keeping a watchful eye on its carbon footprint.
Cummins’ new X15N natural gas engine is a game-changer for the automotive industry
Cummins has now revealed their new X15N engine that runs on natural gas. Cummins has spent the best part of a decade working on the X15N engine and claims that the engine is designed to serve the long-haul sector, which relies heavily on diesel engines. The 15L engine is powered by natural gas, and customers have reported up to 500 horsepower and up to 1,850 lb-ft of torque. Perfect numbers to replace the diesel engine.
Shawn Hricko, Jamestown Engine Plant manager with Cummins, had the following to say about the new X15N engines:
“We’ve tested it out at Loveland Pass [Colorado], which is about 12,000 feet of elevation, pulling heavy loads. This has been tried and true; the X15N performs like a 15-liter diesel. The general architecture has been used in China for about 3.5 billion miles, so we got a lot of testing on the engine, but this is custom-built for the U.S. market. Some of these adjustments came in response to emissions regulations and standards in addition to customer-specific requirements.”
Cummins’ new X15N engine could be the beginning of the end for the EV
Cummins’ new engine is a truly remarkable achievement. The automotive world is currently enthralled in a theoretical war between the different fuels, all vying for our attention and, more crucially, our investments. Cummins’ remarkable engine can run on a variety of natural gases, and Cummins claims that 40 leading fleets have already placed orders. Can Cummins live up to the hype? The engine is backed by a 2-year/250,000 miles warranty with complete engine coverage available up to 5 years/500,000 miles when purchasing the new Protection Plan Plus Extended Coverage offering.
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