Cummins, Tata Motors to collaborate on hydrogen, battery-electric propulsion techs
Cummins Inc. and Tata Motors have signed a MoU to collaborate on the design and development of low and zero-emission propulsion technology solutions for commercial vehicles in India, including hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines, fuel cells, and battery electric vehicle systems.
The two companies already share a history of partnership to develop fuel-efficient powertrain solutions for trucks and buses in India since early 1990s. The latest MoU solidifies their association, and is aligned with India's vision of 'Energy for Sustainable Growth' and achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2070, they claim.
N Chandrasekaran, Executive Chairman, Tata Sons and Chairman, Tata Motors said, "The shift to sustainable mobility is irreversible, and Tata Motors is committed to be amongst the leaders of green mobility. We are delighted to strengthen our long-standing relationship with Cummins for their next generation, hydrogen propulsion systems".
He added, "We are equally excited to indigenize the cutting-edge hydrogen technology to offer our customers an expanded portfolio of green and future ready commercial vehicles, accelerate the adoption of sustainable mobility in the country, and to contribute towards India's 'net zero' carbon emission goals."
Commenting on the strategic collaboration, Tom Linebarger, Executive Chairman, Cummins Inc., said, "Climate change is the existential crisis of our time, and this collaboration between Cummins and Tata Motors accelerates our ability to address it. Cummins is well-positioned to help our customers successfully and seamlessly transition to economically viable decarbonized solutions. We strongly believe that this collaboration is a significant step forward to achieving India's Green Hydrogen Mission. I am excited to enable powering a cleaner and greener India."
India will be one of the first markets to receive Cummins' Hydrogen engines - an important technology to help drive decarbonization – according to the global powertrain solutions company. The company is developing a wide range of hydrogen solutions for commercial and off-highway vehicles, including internal combustion engines that runs on hydrogen fuel.
Case in point is the Cummins B6.7H hydrogen engine, with up to 290 hp (216 kW) output and 1200 Nm peak torque. Derived from Cummins fuel-agnostic platform, the engine is designed to be compatible with same transmissions, drivelines, and cooling packages that are currently used in diesel engines, thereby promising the trucking industry a seamless and affordable transition to clean fuel.
Up next in the zero-emission product portfolio is the company's fourth-generation hydrogen fuel cell engine. Designed to meet the duty-cycle, performance and packaging requirements of medium and heavy-duty trucks and buses, the fuel cell technology is available in 135 kW single- and 270-kW dual modules.
Cummins battery portfolio includes both Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) and Nickel Manganese Cobalt (NMC) battery packs, each of which targets a different duty cycle and use case applications.
'Destination Zero' is Cummins' strategy to go further and faster to reduce the GHG and air quality impacts of its products and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. The company is pursuing a dual-path approach of reducing emissions from internal combustion engines, and simultaneously investing in zero-emissions products.
