Werner Enterprises, a transportation and logistics provider, and Cummins Inc., a power solutions provider, announced Werner signed a letter of intent to purchase 500 Cummins’ 15-L hydrogen internal combustion engines upon availability. The two companies announced earlier this year that Werner Enterprises plans to validate and integrate Cummins’ 15-L natural gas and Cummins’ X15H hydrogen engines, both part of Cummins’ fuel agnostic platform, into their fleet.
Werner’s chairman, president and CEO, Derek Leathers, says the company committed to a 55% reduction in GHG emissions by 2035. This is because the company recognizes the important role of sustainability efforts. He says Werner’s customers show growing interest in sustainable choices. And Cummins’ fuel agnostic platform has the potential to help continue Werner’s momentum toward reducing its carbon footprint, Leathers explains.
“We are pleased to see the leadership of customers like Werner Enterprises, who are exploring solutions like our fuel agnostic platform to help their own customers,” says Brett Merritt, vice president on-highway engine business, Cummins. “The future will include many solutions to help customers decarbonize, and we believe hydrogen internal combustion engines will play an important role.”
Since announcing the platform, which includes 15-L and 6.7-L hydrogen options, Cummins has responded to global customer interest; interest being particularly in hydrogen.
“Our fleet customers have shown tremendous enthusiasm for hydrogen internal combustion engines, which we believe can be a breakthrough technology essential to reaching Destination Zero,” says Jim Nebergall, general manager, Cummins hydrogen engine business. “With enough interest, we believe we can manufacture this technology at scale yet this decade providing customers with an option that is a low initial cost, extended vehicle range, powertrain installation commonality, and end user familiarity.”
REDUCING GHG WITHOUT SACRIFICING POWER
Destination Zero™ is Cummins’ strategy to reduce the greenhouse gas (GHG) and air quality impacts of its products. Cummins set this goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.
Hydrogen engines offer OEMs as well as end-users the benefit of adaptability. Cummins accomplishes this by continuing to use familiar mechanical drivelines with vehicle and equipment integration. This mirrors current powertrains while continuing to provide the power and capability for meeting application needs. Significant reuse of parts and components from Cummins’ existing platforms drives scale advantages on cost. Cummins projects this reuse of components to also deliver reliability and durability equal to diesel.
Hydrogen engines can use zero-carbon green hydrogen fuel, produced by Cummins-manufactured electrolyzers. The projected investment in hydrogen production will provide an opportunity for hydrogen-powered fleets using Cummins fuel cell or engine power.
Find out more, visit www.werner.com and www.cummins.com.
