Cummins announced it signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Terex Advance Mixer, Edge Materials and PCC Hydrogen to produce, trial and prove concrete mixer trucks powered by Cummins’ zero-carbon, hydrogen-fueled internal combustion engines.

According to Cummins, the project aims to develop a full hydrogen eco-system together with a hydrogen producer, vehicle manufacturer and end user. It is the first MoU of its kind signed by Cummins. The four companies will unite their efforts, which will see Cummins’ X15H hydrogen internal combustion engines integrated into the Terex Advance Commander Series of front-discharge concrete mixer trucks.

Edge Materials, a ready-mix concrete provider and Terex Advance customer will operate the hydrogen-powered trucks in challenging real-world environments, including on construction sites and critical infrastructure projects, the company said. PCC Hydrogen, an ultra-low carbon intensity hydrogen producer based in Louisville, KY, will supply the hydrogen fuel as well as stationary storage and dispensing services.

Aligned with Destination Zero – Cummins’ strategy to reduce the greenhouse gas and air quality impacts of its products – the four-company collaboration will spearhead a complete and viable approach to decarbonizing mixer trucks, without impacting vehicle performance, Cummins said.

Cummins said its hydrogen engines use zero-carbon hydrogen fuel rather than traditional diesel. They are similar in architecture to today’s diesel and natural gas-powered engines, offering heavier-duty, longer-range applications a route to decarbonize without major changes to vehicle designs and at a lower upfront cost than current zero-carbon alternatives.