Air Products and Cummins Partner to Deploy 2,000 Heavy-Duty Hydrogen Fuel Cell Trucks
Demonstrations are slated to begin in 2022
Image via Cummins
By Liam Simmonds
August 6, 2021
Air Products, the world’s largest hydrogen producer, and Cummins Inc., a global power and hydrogen technologies leader, jointly announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to collaborate on accelerating the deployment of hydrogen fuel cell trucks in the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Cummins will integrate its hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrains into selected OEM partners’ heavy-duty trucks as Air Products begins the process of converting its global fleet of distribution vehicles to hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.
After a successful demonstration and pilot phase, Air Products plans to convert its global fleet of about 2,000 trucks to hydrogen fuel cell zero-emission vehicles. Air Products and Cummins expect its demonstration phase to begin in 2022. The partnership extends to promote the adoption of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, increased accessibility to green hydrogen, and improvements to hydrogen infrastructure.
“This is another turning point for hydrogen and the energy transition,” said 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.”
“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. Only hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can provide the necessary range, refueling time, and weight requirements to decarbonize this important transportation sector,” said Eric Guter, Air Products’ vice president for hydrogen for mobility solutions.
Hydrogen fuel cells are gaining traction in the New Mobility sector — particularly for heavy-duty applications due to improved performance under adverse climate conditions. Hydrogen as a transportation fuel is the most similar to the fuel experience of typical internal combustion engine vehicles. Air Products’ refueling technologies are utilized in over 1.5 million refuelings annually across 20 countries, with Air Products having been involved in more than 250 projects advancing hydrogen for transportation-related applications.
Cummins Inc. designs, manufactures, distributes, and services a broad portfolio of power solutions and market-leading hydrogen technologies, including PEM electrolyzer and fuel cell solutions. Cummins has deployed over 2,000 fuel cells and 600 electrolyzers globally. Cummins hydrogen innovations include 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 Becancour, Canada.
Liam Simmonds is Lead Analyst at SEP and our Hydrogen Practice Area Lead.