Hydrogen combustion engines lean on current internal-combustion expertise, however they nonetheless require some technical tweaks for max effectivity.
Engine maker Cummins 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 vitality 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, nevertheless it nonetheless produces some dangerous standards pollution—like nitrogen oxide (NOx), which Cummins is accustomed to. In 2024 the corporate agreed to pay a virtually $1.7 billion nice to settle a federal case wherein it was accused of emissions dishonest with diesel engines in Ram pickup vans.
2025 Ram Heavy Responsibility
The next-airflow lean burn is important to minimizing NOx emissions in hydrogen combustion engines, in response to Cummins, as is lowering turbo lag. The latter is prompted when the turbo takes too lengthy to construct up enhance, leaving to a delay between accelerator press and energy supply.
Extra exact management of the turbocharger can assist 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 via 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, nevertheless it’s pulled again from what was hinted in these earlier ideas in recent times. It has been emphasizing hydrogen combustion as an alternative, displaying a prototype hydrogen combustion engine in a Peterbilt semi truck in 2023.
Whereas this new challenge is positioned to emphasize European fleets first, it is also utilized in U.S. vans—with the supporting infrastructure, after all.
Cummins is not the one firm investing in hydrogen inside combustion. Bosch has additionally made it part of its hydrogen investments, alongside gas cells. Toyota is taking a look at each hydrogen applied sciences was effectively, conducting hydrogen-combustion demonstration initiatives whereas persevering with to develop a fuel-cell powertrain backed by giant batteries for semi vans and—the automaker has teased—presumably heavy-duty pickups as effectively.