Cummins, Daimler Truck to manufacture line of fuel cell heavy-duty trucks by 2024

The global engine manufacturer Cummins has forged an agreement with the North American heavy-duty truck manufacturer Daimler Truck North America to produce a new line of fuel cell trucks using Cummins' latest fuel cell technology, the companies said May 11.

According to the agreement, Daimler will add Cummin's fourth-generation fuel cell power train to its Freightliner Cascadia trucks, a Class 8 heavy duty vehicle. Initial units will be available to select North American customers beginning in 2024.

Specs and details of the fuel cell powertrain are not being released by the company. But Amy Adams, Cummins' vice president of fuel cell and hydrogen technologies, said the fourth-generation fuel cell – which is still in development – will have a higher power node, a higher power density and more efficiency than its third-generation predecessor.

The third-generation fuel cell is powered by two 90 kW modules that are each powered by a stack of two 45 kW power nodes for a combined power of 180 kW. This powertrain is designed for short-distance applications, such as regional haul, busses, urban deliveries, port drayage and terminal container handling. And many of Cummins' customers use its third-generation powertrains in demonstration projects, Adams said.

The next generation's power capacity "will be significantly higher," he said without giving specifics. And the agreement with Daimler is the first fuel cell deal Cummins has made with a US original equipment manufacturer.

"As the focus [on fuel cell technology] has broadened to heavy duty trucks, those trucks need much higher power nodes," Adams explained. "In the industry, this is being spoken about as anywhere up to 300 kW and beyond as a total system for Class 8 trucks. So I think the industry is looking out to the end of the decade for the ultimate power solution. Some are looking at one very large stack, or multiple stacks. I think that remains to be seen."

The agreement with Daimler is the second Cummins has struck related to its fourth-generation fuel cell this year. In April, the company announced that it will provide its fuel cell systems to the Swedish vehicle manufacturer Scania to use in 20 vehicles.

"The purpose of this is that we're really trying to accelerate the introduction of fuel cell electric vehicles, and the reason is because of demand from customers," Adams said. "We have customers and Daimler has customers who are looking at a range of solutions, including fully electric and fuel cell electric. These customers want to get trucks in their hands, they want to understand the technology and understand what it means for their operations."

Fuel cells are just one part of the Cummins' commitment to the hydrogen economy. The company also manufacturers electrolyzers and has deployed them to customers in both the power generation sector and transportation sector.

In February, Florida Power & Light announced a purchase of a 25-MW electrolyzer system from Cummins for its Cavendish NextGen Hydrogen Hub. Then in April, Cummins announced that it was supplying a 2.5 MW electrolyzer to HysetCo, a joint venture that plans to power a taxi fleet in Paris, France with hydrogen.

According to price assessments from S&P Global Commodity Insights, green hydrogen produced using PEM electrolysis in Southern California cost $4.92/kg on May 10, while green hydrogen produced on the US Gulf Coast cost $5.83/kg.