Hydrogen combustion engines lean on present internal-combustion expertise, however they nonetheless require some technical tweaks for max effectivity.
Engine maker Cummins not too long ago unveiled a turbocharger designed for hydrogen engines, which burn gaseous hydrogen as an alternative of gasoline or diesel. Known 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 accordance with 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 accustomed to. In 2024 the corporate agreed to pay an almost $1.7 billion high quality to settle a federal case through which it was accused of emissions dishonest with diesel engines in Ram pickup vehicles.
2025 Ram Heavy Obligation
A better-airflow lean burn is crucial to minimizing NOx emissions in hydrogen combustion engines, in accordance with Cummins, as is decreasing turbo lag. The latter is brought about 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 might 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 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, however it’s pulled again from what was hinted in these earlier ideas lately. 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. vehicles—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 gasoline cells. Toyota is each hydrogen applied sciences was nicely, conducting hydrogen-combustion demonstration initiatives whereas persevering with to develop a fuel-cell powertrain backed by massive batteries for semi vehicles and—the automaker has teased—presumably heavy-duty pickups as nicely.
