Hydrogen combustion truck set for German debut

The H2-ICE project is based on a Mercedes-Benz Atego 4x2 truck, converted to run on Cummins’ B6.7H hydrogen internal combustion engine, which can deliver 290hp (216kW). Featuring a 700-bar pressure, high-capacity hydrogen storage system reinforced with carbon fibre, the truck is claimed to have an operating range of up to 500km.

“The H2-ICE concept truck on show at IAA puts Cummins at the forefront of this rapidly emerging internal combustion engine technology using zero-carbon hydrogen fuel,” said Alison Trueblood, executive director of On-highway Business Europe at Cummins.  

“While Cummins hydrogen fuel cells offer a highly effective solution for specific applications within the truck industry, our hydrogen engines can also help accelerate fleet decarbonisation by offering a lower cost basis using more familiar engine technology.”

According to Cummins, the B6.7H is designed to operate across the 10-to-26T gross vehicle weight (GVW) truck segment, providing 1200Nm peak torque. Cummins worked with hydrogen storage specialist NPROXX to develop the twin hydrogen fuel tanks that have a combined capacity of around 40kg, with additional space on the chassis for an auxiliary 10kg tank.