Hydrogen combustion engines lean on present internal-combustion expertise, however they nonetheless require some technical tweaks for optimum effectivity.
Engine maker Cummins just lately unveiled a turbocharger designed for hydrogen engines, which burn gaseous hydrogen as an alternative of gasoline or diesel. Referred to as the CCS H2 ICE, the turbo helps compensate for the decrease power density and better airflow wants of hydrogen in comparison with fossil fuels, in response to a Cummins press launch.
Hydrogen burns cleaner then gasoline or diesel, however it nonetheless produces some dangerous standards pollution—like nitrogen oxide (NOx), which Cummins is conversant in. In 2024 the corporate agreed to pay a virtually $1.7 billion effective to settle a federal case during which it was accused of emissions dishonest with diesel engines in Ram pickup vehicles.
2025 Ram Heavy Responsibility
A better-airflow lean burn is vital to minimizing NOx emissions in hydrogen combustion engines, in response to Cummins, as is decreasing turbo lag. The latter is prompted when the turbo takes too lengthy to construct up increase, leaving to a delay between accelerator press and energy supply.
Extra exact management of the turbocharger will help ship on these necessities. A number of choices exist for this, however for the CCS H2 ICE, Cummins selected a variable-geometry design with adjustable nozzles that may change airflow by means of the turbo on demand.
Peterbilt semi truck prototype with Cummins hydrogen combustion engine
Cummins gave indications it was going sturdy on EVs at one level, however it’s pulled again from what was hinted in these earlier ideas lately. It has been emphasizing hydrogen combustion as an alternative, exhibiting a prototype hydrogen combustion engine in a Peterbilt semi truck in 2023.
Whereas this new mission is positioned to emphasize European fleets first, it is also utilized in U.S. vehicles—with the supporting infrastructure, after all.
Cummins is not the one firm investing in hydrogen inner combustion. Bosch has additionally made it part of its hydrogen investments, alongside gasoline cells. Toyota is each hydrogen applied sciences was nicely, conducting hydrogen-combustion demonstration tasks whereas persevering with to develop a fuel-cell powertrain backed by massive batteries for semi vehicles and—the automaker has teased—probably heavy-duty pickups as nicely.