Project Brunel: Advancing Hydrogen Internal Combustion Engine Technology for Commercial Vehicles
Key Ideas
  • Cummins Inc. and key technology partners have completed 'Project Brunel,' developing a 6.7-litre hydrogen internal combustion engine for medium-duty trucks and buses.
  • The project, funded by the UK Government and facilitated by APC, has achieved over 99% reduction in tailpipe carbon emissions compared to current diesel engines, offering a viable solution for air quality improvement.
  • The hydrogen internal combustion engine concept utilizes new fuel injection technology, after-treatment catalyst, and hydrogen barrier coatings, showcasing significant performance and durability enhancements.
  • Industry leaders highlight the success of collaboration in achieving a familiar power option for commercial vehicles with zero-carbon fuel, aiming to align regulation for long-term adoption beyond 2035 and 2040.
Cummins, along with technology partners Johnson Matthey, PHINIA, and Zircotec, has successfully concluded 'Project Brunel' in Darlington, UK, developing hydrogen internal combustion engine technology for commercial vehicles. The project, match-funded by the UK Government and facilitated by the Advanced Propulsion Centre UK (APC), focused on creating a 6.7-litre hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) for medium-duty trucks and buses. By leveraging innovations in fuel injection technology, after-treatment catalyst, and hydrogen barrier coatings, the project achieved substantial performance improvements and durability enhancements. The H2-ICE engine delivers a remarkable over 99% reduction in tailpipe carbon emissions and ultra-low NOx levels compared to current diesel engine standards (Euro VI), presenting a viable solution for reducing the air quality impact of heavier-duty or longer-range applications. The collaboration between industry leaders like Cummins and its partners emphasizes the commitment to industry decarbonization and highlights the potential of hydrogen technology for commercial vehicles. Jonathan Atkinson, Cummins' Executive Director - Product Strategy, praised the successful development of a familiar power option that meets current commercial vehicle operating requirements with zero-carbon fuel. The project's presentation at Cummins' Darlington facility further underlined the efficiency, performance, and carbon emissions reductions achieved through H2-ICE technology, aiming to accelerate the decarbonization of commercial vehicles and gain government recognition for long-term adoption.
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