Air Products, a supplier and transporter of hydrogen, and power and hydrogen technology company Cummins, have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in which the pair will jointly accelerate the integration of hydrogen fuel cell trucks in Europe, Asia and the Americas.
As part of the project, Cummins will provide hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrains for integration into several OEM partners’ heavy-duty trucks for Air Products, as the company starts shifting toward a converted global fleet of hydrogen fuel cell distribution vehicles.
“Together with Air Products, we will combine our vast expertise in hydrogen – from production to consumption – with the on-road learnings we already have through our Cummins-powered zero-emissions fleet,” commented Amy Davis, vice president and president of new power at Cummins. “From the hundreds of battery-electric buses and trucks to fuel cell systems for bus and rail, working with these innovative fleets creates the tipping point necessary for us to scale and accelerate a carbon-neutral world.”
Around 2,000 trucks globally will be converted to hydrogen fuel cell zero-emission vehicles after a demonstration and pilot phase that is scheduled to begin in 2022. The duo will also work to increase the accessibility of renewable hydrogen and hydrogen infrastructures that promote the adoption of hydrogen for mobility.
“We believe hydrogen is the future for heavy-duty segments of the transportation market and we can demonstrate to the world its merits by being a first-mover in transitioning our heavy-duty fleet of trucks to hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles,” commented Seifi Ghasemi, chairman, president and chief executive officer at Air Products. “We are pleased to be working with Cummins to achieve our fleet transition goals. Sustainability is Air Products’ growth strategy and creates our growth opportunities, and nothing says more about our company’s approach to sustainability than a fleet of zero-emission vehicles on the road delivering product to customers every day.”
“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,” explained Eric Guter, Air Products’ vice president for hydrogen for mobility solutions.