At the 2024 IAA TRANSPORTATION, Cummins, together with industry partners such as the Hydrogen Engine Alliance and Bosch, emphasized that hydrogen internal combustion engine technology will provide key impetus for the strong development of the clean energy economy.
At the Hydrogen Engine Alliance event, multiple organizations including Cummins, MAN, Bosch, DSLV Federal Association for Freight Forwarding&Logistics, and the European Commission jointly stated that hydrogen internal combustion engine technology will play an important role in the global decarbonization process and has significant advantages in promoting carbon reduction. Compared with existing zero carbon technologies, hydrogen internal combustion engine technology has more advantages in initial investment costs.
The Hydrogen Engine Alliance brings together manufacturers and industry representatives to share professional wisdom and promote research and development of hydrogen internal combustion engine technology. At this event, participants had in-depth discussions on the potential of hydrogen internal combustion engine technology in the global decarbonization process.
Jane Beaman, Vice President of Global Road and Pickup Business at Cummins, pointed out that hydrogen internal combustion engines use industry proven internal combustion engine technology that has been proven for decades, and are a key transitional technology to help the industry achieve transformation.
Hydrogen internal combustion engines are not only similar in appearance and sound to traditional engines, but their components are also highly interchangeable with those used in existing commercial vehicles, simplifying the complexity of integration for vehicle manufacturers. Hydrogen internal combustion engines can use zero carbon hydrogen fuel and have extremely low emissions, making them a key technology for achieving global carbon reduction goals.
Infrastructure development
To promote the comprehensive development of hydrogen energy, infrastructure construction is crucial to ensure the accessibility and economy of the fuel. Industry partners are calling for the inclusion of hydrogen internal combustion engines as zero emission technology in regulations, promoting its global application.
Jane Beaman said:
Although some regions around the world have made some progress, we still need to work together. Cummins is committed to working hand in hand with customers, policy makers, and the industry to advocate for technological innovation and promote the development of a clean energy economy. Incorporating hydrogen internal combustion engines into more global carbon reduction policies will help accelerate the construction of hydrogen energy infrastructure and promote the wider application of this technology.
There is no single solution that can meet the requirements of all application scenarios. At the event, the Hydrogen Engine Alliance conducted in-depth discussions on various power technologies. Achieving emission reduction targets requires diversified technological solutions, including not only zero emission technologies such as fuel cells and pure electric vehicles, but also next-generation innovative internal combustion engine platforms. Hydrogen internal combustion engine is a key transitional technology that can utilize existing internal combustion engine expertise and technology, operational practices, and supply chain resources to ensure sustained business and industry operations while reducing emissions.
Jan R ö hrl, Vice President of Bosch Power Solutions, emphasized during the event that:
To meet diverse customer and environmental needs, we must utilize all powertrain technologies. Future transmission solutions include pure electric, fuel cell, hydrogen internal combustion engines, and advanced diesel power that can use renewable fuels. These technologies complement each other, and each solution can be effective.
Complementary hydrogen energy technologies
At the event site, hydrogen internal combustion engines and hydrogen fuel cells received much attention. The development of hydrogen internal combustion engines will promote an increase in hydrogen fuel production, reduce costs, and enhance customer acceptance of hydrogen fuel. By utilizing existing technology and supply chains, hydrogen internal combustion engines can help the industry achieve carbon reduction in a relatively short period of time, while accelerating the construction of hydrogen energy infrastructure and promoting the large-scale application of hydrogen fuel cells. When using renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, or hydro to produce hydrogen, fuel cells can achieve zero exhaust emissions. As a key decarbonization technology, hydrogen fuel cells are developing together with pure electric and hydrogen internal combustion engine technologies.
Jane Beaman emphasized in her summary that:
Exploring the future of hydrogen engines in depth is of great significance for promoting the development of this technology. In this event, institutions and experts from both inside and outside the industry worked together to explore and develop diversified technological solutions, taking more solid steps towards cleaner energy. We believe that with the dual promotion of global policy support and infrastructure construction, we will work together to realize the vision of hydrogen as the future energy source and promote the vigorous development of hydrogen internal combustion engine technology.