The Indian automotive giants Tata Motors now have a hydrogen-fuelled Cummins internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) option available for truck customers.
Cummins has confirmed it started manufacturing the engine (seen above) in March at a new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Jamshedpur, India.
The B6.7H H2-ICE engines will be fitted initially to Tata trucks for the domestic market.
The hydrogen shift comes after a three decade partnership between Tata Motors and Cummins which includes a 50:50 joint venture, Tata Cummins Private Limited (TCPL).
That joint venture, formed last year, has focus on collaboration on the design and development of low- and zero-emission propulsion technology solutions for commercial vehicles in India.
The new manufacturing facility, part of the joint venture, will produce H2-ICEs for medium- and heavy-duty commercial vehicles, as well as other low- to zero-emissions technologies like batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.
The B6.7H engine is rated up to 290 hp (216 kW) output and 1,200 Nm peak torque and features technology to enhance power density, reduce friction losses and improve thermal efficiency.
It shares many components with current diesel and natural gas engines, providing diesel-like performance and operating range, fits in the same footprint as a standard engine and can be refueled in minutes.
According to the companies, the installation of the B6.7H will enable Tata Motors and Cummins to demonstrate a practical, sustainable zero-carbon power option to support the decarbonization of India’s commercial vehicles industry.
