Hydrogen fuel cell trucks, Cummins and Air Products sign MoU

Cummins and Air Products have recently announced the mutual agreement over a MoU aimed at accelerating development and deployment of hydrogen fuel cell trucks in the Americas, Europe and Asia. It’s not at all the first significant agreement signed by Cummins: not long ago, the Columbus-based company announced the partnership with Chevron to cooperate on hydrogen development. Furthermore, as for R&D efforts, Cummins is currently testing hydrogen-fueled IC engines. We don’t have to say we’re all very curious about the results of such tests.

Air Products to convert its fleet

Back to the cooperation with Air Products, it is quite a significant one, as the latter specializes in the supply and transport of hydrogen. Within the framework of the cooperation, Cummins will provide hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrains integrated into selected OEM partners’ heavy-duty trucks for Air Products, as Air Products begins the process of converting its global fleet of distribution vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

The best way to promote the adoption of hydrogen for mobility in heavy-duty applications is for us to have units on the road and lead by example. In addition to other heavy-duty applications like transit fleets, where we already provide fueling solutions, the semi-truck market is a major opportunity for hydrogen due to its rigorous requirements

Eric Guter, Air Products’ vice president for hydrogen for mobility solutions

Following a successful demonstration and pilot phase, Air Products plans to convert its global fleet of approximately 2,000 trucks to hydrogen fuel cell zero-emission vehicles. Cummins and Air Products expect the demonstration phase to begin in 2022. Additionally, Cummins and Air Products will work together to increase the accessibility of renewable hydrogen, including hydrogen infrastructure opportunities that promote the adoption of hydrogen for mobility. 

Statements from Cummins and Air Products

«We believe hydrogen is the future for heavy duty segments of the transportation market and we can demonstrate to the world its merits by being a first-mover in transitioning our heavy-duty fleet of trucks to hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles. We are pleased to be working with Cummins to achieve our fleet transition goals. Sustainability is Air Products’ growth strategy and creates our growth opportunities, and nothing says more about our company’s approach to sustainability than a fleet of zero-emission vehicles on the road delivering product to customers every day», said Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products’ chairman, president and chief executive officer.

«This is another turning point for hydrogen and the energy transition», added Tom Linebarger, chairman and chief executive officer at Cummins. «As we develop the technologies of tomorrow, we need the partnership of others to be successful, and this partnership with Air Products is the next step in leading the industry on the path to a zero-emissions future». 

Driving sustainable growth

Air Products is driving sustainable growth. The company has the proven capability and know-how to make hydrogen through all available production methods and to distribute this increasingly important emission-free fuel safely, reliably, and economically.  

To date, Cummins has deployed more than 2,000 fuel cells and 600 electrolyzers globally. Cummins hydrogen innovations have been part of many of the world’s ‘firsts’, including powering the world’s first hydrogen fuel cell passenger trains, the world’s first hydrogen refueling station suitable for ships, cars and trucks in Antwerp, Belgium and the world’s largest PEM electrolyzer in Bécancour, Canada.