Project Brunel: Driving hydrogen innovation
Cummins led a consortium of PHINIA, Johnson Matthey Plc and Zircotec Limited to develop a £14.6 million project, with £7.2 million funded by government and facilitated by APC, to accelerate hydrogen-fuelled internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) development in the UK. The project focused on medium and heavy-duty engines for trucks and off-highway equipment and retained existing driveline components to cut redevelopment timelines.
Powered by zero‑carbon hydrogen and fitted with an advanced after‑treatment system, the 6.7‑litre engine achieves over a 99% cut in tailpipe carbon emissions while producing ultra‑low levels of NOx, outperforming the current Euro VI diesel benchmark. Hydrogen internal combustion technology is increasingly recognized as a practical route to mitigating air quality concerns in heavy‑duty and long‑range applications.
This project places the UK at the forefront of this key emerging technology, and has further enabled innovations in fuel injection, combustion, thermal management and advanced materials.