Alternative fuel use continues to grow in the U.S. trucking industry. How are major engine manufacturers keeping up?
In the video above, Derek Kiesler, Cummins' director for North America on-highway product strategy, shares the company's alternative fuel combustion plans through the company's HELM platform.
The platform is the company's plan to accommodate multiple different fuel types with a similar engine architecture. The platform's combustion engines—burning diesel, natural gas, gasoline, or hydrogen—will share similar components where possible while keeping reliability and TCO in mind for fleets.
See also: Cummins launches next-gen diesel engine for work trucks
The platform approach simplifies integration for OEM partners and offers commonality in serviceability and maintenance for fleets. The natural gas solution for the 15-liter platform was brought to market in 2024, with a diesel variant expected in 2026-2027. Cummins is investing in research and development for hydrogen combustion solutions as the market becomes ready.
