A Big Deal: Cummins and Hyundai

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October 2, 2019 Vol. 16 No. 20

Hyundai and Cummins have announced that they’ve entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to “jointly evaluate opportunities” regarding the development and commercialization of fuel cell electric powertrains. This is a big deal, and a big boost to the fuel cell electric idea.

The two companies will presumably marry Hyundai’s fuel cell systems with Cummins’ electric powertrain, battery, and control technologies. The initial development will be focused on the North American commercial vehicle market, including working with North American OEMs on the integration of these systems into their vehicles. The companies will also explore ways they can work together to develop next generation fuel cell systems, and have each committed to assign a team of individuals to investigate and pursue other areas of collaboration.

“This partnership is a terrific opportunity for both companies to leverage our respective strengths and create new opportunities to grow and broaden the product portfolio we bring to our customers,” said Thad Ewald, vice president, Corporate Strategy, at Cummins Inc. “We’ve made significant investments over the past year to accelerate our fuel cell capabilities including our acquisition of Hydrogenics and this partnership is another step forward.”

“With Hyundai’s global leadership in fuel cell systems coupled with Cummins’ unparalleled electrified powertrain technologies, we expect this partnership to leave a mark in the commercial vehicle market,” said Saehoon Kim, vice president and head of Hyundai’s Fuel Cell Group.

THE PARTNERSHIP PROVIDES a springboard for Hyundai to increase its presence in the North American commercial vehicle market.

The new collaboration may extend beyond commercial vehicles, as the companies will also evaluate the development of fuel cell power generators. Fuel cell back-up power generation is attractive for its reduced carbon footprint.

The MOU comes at a time of heightened demand for fuel cell technology, the companies say. Energy experts predict hydrogen will become increasingly important in meeting fast-growing global energy demand, while also supporting efforts to drive down carbon emissions from energy generation.

Hyundai is a world leader in the development of hydrogen fuel cell technology, having opened the world’s first commercial production facility for fuel cell vehicles in 2013. It released the world’s first commercialized hydrogen-powered vehicle, the Tucson Fuel Cell, in 2015. The NEXO, Hyundai’s second-generation fuel cell electric vehicle with a range of over 610 km, is a three-row SUV.

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Rolf Lockwood is editor emeritus of Today's Trucking and a regular contributor to Trucknews.com.