With the rise of stricter emission laws, engine manufacturers have no choice but to look into alternate energy sources to run their vehicles. Cummins is reinventing the combustion engine but this time, instead of fossil fuels, the engine will run through the power of hydrogen. Is this the latest path to carbon neutrality?
A new take on the oldest element
Hydrogen combustion engines make use of existing internal combustion technology. Of course, this comes with some extra added tweaks so as to maximize efficiency.
Cummins, renowned engine maker, has recently debuted a turbocharger designed for hydrogen engines, which burn gaseous hydrogen instead of gasoline or diesel. Called the CCS H2 ICE, the turbo helps compensate for the lower energy density and higher airflow needs of hydrogen compared to fossil fuels, according to a Cummins press release. Hydrogen has a much higher air-hydrogen ratio of 34 parts air to 1 part hydrogen (by mass), as opposed to the 14.7 to 1 air-fuel ratio.
Burning hydrogen does still produce some harmful criteria pollutants, despite its ability to burn cleaner than gasoline or diesel. It produces a pollutant like nitrogen oxide (NOx), something that Cummins is all too familiar with.
In 2024, the company had faced a federal case after it was accused of emissions cheating with diesel engines in Ram pickup trucks. As a result, Cummins agreed to pay a hefty fine that amounted to nearly $1.7 billion.
According to Cummins, a higher-airflow lean burn is critical to minimizing NOx emissions in hydrogen combustion engines, along with reducing turbo lag. The latter is caused when the turbo takes too long to build up boost, leaving to a delay between accelerator press and power delivery.
These requirements can be easily met through more precise control of the turbocharger. Cummins has chosen a variable-geometry design with adjustable nozzles that can change airflow through the turbo on demand for the CCS H2 ICE. Although, several other options are also available.
Is hydrogen the future of energy?
For a while, Cummins showed a persistent dedication to electric vehicles (EVs). However, they have since pulled back from the concepts that were hinted at in recent years. Instead, the company decided to switch gears and draw focus to hydrogen combustion. A prototype hydrogen combustion engine in a Peterbilt semi truck was shown in 2023.
European fleets are the first point of emphasis that this project is positioned to. However, if supporting infrastructure is developed in the United States, this could be applied here as well.
Hydrogen combustion is all the rage in the industry at the moment and Cummins is not independent in their work. Alongside fuel cells, Bosch has also made hydrogen internal combustion a part of its investments. Toyota has shown great interest in hydrogen technologies as well. They are conducting hydrogen-combustion demonstration projects while continuing to develop a fuel-cell powertrain backed by large batteries for semi trucks and, the automaker has hinted, possibly heavy-duty pickups as well.
With the rapid rate at which global warming is progressing, it is of utmost importance that companies and consumers alike opt for more sustainable energy sources, regardless of whether the cost may be higher or not. It is especially import for the motor industry to pursue research and development of this nature since motor vehicles are one of the largest contributors to pollution.
Overall, the hydrogen internal combustion engine (ICE) appears to be a pioneer in its field in terms of emissions and performance. An upgrade to existing infrastructure would also be needed for this type of vehicle to achieve optimal functionality and should be taken into consideration as research into this continues.