Revisiting 5 things Cummins is doing to address climate concerns

A lot has happened in the two years since that story was posted as the company pursues its mission of making people’s lives better by powering a more prosperous world: 

1.    PLANET 2050

In late 2019, Cummins unveiled PLANET 2050, an environmental strategy to address climate change and other environmental issues. The plan includes challenging, science-based goals timed to 2030 and aspirations through 2050, including carbon neutrality in the company’s products by the middle of the century. That target is consistent with the policy put forward last week by The Business Roundtable, an association of chief executives from leading corporations in the U.S.

“It’s clear that government, businesses, nongovernmental organizations and communities must unite behind swift, decisive action to address the environmental threats we face,” said Cummins Chairman and CEO Tom Linebarger in introducing PLANET 2050.

The new 2030 goals will succeed the company’s 2020 environmental goals. The company finished 2019 having accomplished three of seven 2020 goals at least a year early, while narrowly missing a fourth.

2.    LOW- AND NO-CARBON PLATFORMS

In 2019, the Cummins business segment formerly known as Electrified Power changed its name to New Power to reflect a broader mission after the company acquired Hydrogenics, a fuel cell and hydrogen production technologies company. New Power has been moving quickly ever since, announcing a number of initiatives, including a joint venture with NPROXX, a leader in hydrogen storage and transportation, and investments in Loop Energy, a leading provider of fuel cell electric range extenders for medium and heavy-duty transport applications.

Cummins is today involved in a variety of fuel cell and hydrogen production projects, providing, for example, the electrolyzer for the largest hydrogen production initiative of its kind in the U.S. CEO Tom Linebarger has joined the board of the Hydrogen Council, a global initiative of leading energy, transport and industry companies supporting the promising fuel source.

Meanwhile, the company produced an electrified powertrain for the urban bus and truck market in 2019. The Big Blue Bus in Santa Monica, California (U.S.), unveiled its first-ever electric bus in 2019, a GILLIG battery-electric model using the new Cummins’ platform. Cummins also built and delivered to the Blue Bird Corporation more than 100 fully electric drivetrains to power electrified school buses. 

3.    IMPROVING DIESEL AND NATURAL GAS PRODUCTS

Cummins continued leading the way in diesel technology in 2019, launching its 2020 X15 Efficiency Series engine for heavy duty trucks about a year prior to regulatory requirements. The new X15 offers improved fuel economy and further reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Advances in emission control technology, paired with ultra-low sulfur diesel fuel, have significantly decreased diesel emissions and environmental impact, positioning modern diesel technology as an important bridge to the low- and no-carbon fuels of the future.

In 2019, the L9N natural gas engine, considered one of the world’s cleanest internal combustion engines, also expanded its reach to South America, helping to power the transit system in Santiago, Chile. Especially when paired with renewable natural gas, the L9N can achieve extremely low emissions and environmental impact.

4.    PROMOTING RENEWABLE ENERGY

Back in 2018, Cummins had just announced a deal to support the expansion of an Indiana wind farm. Two years later, the expansion is complete, and the portion Cummins backed through a virtual power purchase agreement is sending enough renewable energy to the grid to nearly offset all of the electricity the company uses at its Indiana facilities from traditional sources.

In addition, the company ended 2019 with 25 onsite solar photovoltaic installations in operation with a total generation capacity of 16.9 MW (see page 25 of the 2019 Sustainability Progress Report). The company has a number of projects planned for 2020, although the COVID-19 pandemic could alter those plans

Cummins’ approach is basically to add renewable power to sites where it makes physical and economic sense. It doesn’t make sense, for example, to add wind or solar power where it isn’t regularly windy or sunny. 
 
5.    ADVOCATING FOR A HEALTHIER TOMORROW

Cummins supports tough, clear and enforceable regulations that promote innovation. The company advocates for these regulations around the world, believing Cummins’ unrivaled technical staff will design products meeting those regulations better and faster than the competition.

In China and India, the company engaged with policymakers in 2019 and 2020 to ensure oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) standards for conventional technologies are fully implemented and enforced, establishing the rules of the road for new technologies.

In the U.S., the company lobbied for and supports Phase 2 of the U.S. GHG/ fuel efficiency regulations passed in 2016, and is working with the U.S. EPA and the California (U.S.) Air Resources Board as they develop new regulations to reduce NOx emissions for on-highway engines.

The bottom line since 2018? Cummins is committed to powering a more prosperous world and that means doing its part to contribute to a cleaner environment for everyone as the company looks ahead to its next 100 years.