Cummins Debuts its Unique and Versatile Hybrid PowerDrive at IAA Commercial Vehicles Show
Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) unveiled the PowerDrive, an advanced suite of
plug-in hybrid electric powertrain solutions spanning light, medium and
heavy-duty applications, at the 2018 IAA Commercial Vehicle Show. This
further expands Cummins’ broad portfolio of low emissions and
fuel-efficient power solutions that includes clean diesel, near-zero
natural gas, and fully electric to help each customer’s distinct needs.
This unique hybrid system is centre stage at the Cummins booth in an
electric hybrid utility truck, a Kenworth T370. As the most versatile
hybrid system on the market today, the Cummins PowerDrive offers both
parallel and series capabilities. The PowerDrive replaces the
conventional transmission and switches in real time between two hybrid
and two pure electric modes, optimizing the powertrain for the best fuel
economics in any driving situation. The vehicle is also configured with
exportable grid quality electric power to recharge vehicles and a
recovery crane operating on either electric or engine power take-off.
The Cummins PowerDrive system has travelled more than six million miles
in a fleet setting in the United States and China, and work is underway
to introduce it to the European market in the near future. Its flexible
architecture means the PowerDrive system can be combined with various
sizes of diesel or natural gas engines and battery pack outputs.
“With a 100-year-long track record of powering our customers’ success,
Cummins demonstrates once again that we are transforming the future of
transportation by offering our customers the broadest and most
cutting-edge power portfolio backed by our expansive service
capabilities,” said Julie Furber, Cummins Executive Director of
Electrified Power.
“The Cummins PowerDrive is intelligent, versatile and compact, providing
our on-highway customers the flexibility needed to meet the demands of
their diverse jobs and markets. Cummins is ready to offer the new
PowerDrive suite through our OEM partners. We look forward to discussing
how the PowerDrive’s compact packaging envelope and weight saving
benefits will enable OEMs to produce PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric
vehicles) vehicles for diverse needs without compromising performance or
range.”
Cummins PowerDrive
The flexible hybrid architecture seamlessly shifts between pure electric
for environmentally sensitive areas with a 50-mile (80 km) range and
hybrid for jobs requiring more than 300 miles (480 km). It operates as a
hybrid in either series or parallel configuration modes. Series is
better suited to low road speeds such as urban driving (stop/start
conditions), while parallel is ideal for higher road speeds on the
highway. In a series hybrid, the electric motor is the only means of
providing power to the wheels. The motor receives electric power from
either the battery pack or from the engine-generator. In a parallel
hybrid, the engine and electric motor combine to provide the power that
drives the wheels. The third mode of electric plus comes online when
higher energy is required when the system senses gradient climbing or
acceleration for overtaking.
The future of transportation demands low emissions without comprising
fuel economy or drivability, and the PowerDrive is designed to meet
these needs. A US Class 6 truck powered by the PowerDrive with a 50-mile
(80 km) electric range, realizes reduced emissions by up to 80 percent
compared to conventional vehicles. Similarly, fuel costs are reduced by
between 40 to 80 percent depending on the drive cycle.
Electric Hybrid Utility Truck Profile
The Cummins PowerDrive 6000 is paired with a Cummins B6.7 in the
Kenworth T370, a US Class 6 truck. The vehicle’s gross weight is 33,000
lbs (15 mt gvw). The service vehicle was commissioned by Cummins to
support EV and PHEV vehicle field tests and pilot routes. It showcases
three vehicle charging stations (1: 100 kW fast charge and 2: 6.6 kW
standard chargers) with direct charging cables from the truck to the
PHEV or EV vehicle requiring charging.
Note to editor: Images of Cummins Hybrid Utility Truck can be
downloaded from: https://www.cummins.com/news/events/iaa-commercial-vehicles-2018
About Cummins Inc.
Cummins Inc., a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary
business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a
broad portfolio of power solutions. The company’s products range from
diesel and natural gas engines to hybrid and electric platforms, as well
as related technologies, including battery systems, fuel systems,
controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical
power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.A.),
since its founding in 1919, Cummins currently employs approximately
58,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world. Cummins
serves customers in about 190 countries and territories through a
network of some 500 company-owned and independent distributor locations
and approximately 7,500 dealer locations. Cummins earned $1 billion on
sales of $20.4 billion in 2017. Press releases can be found on the Web
at www.cummins.com.
Follow Cummins on Twitter at www.twitter.com/cummins
and on YouTube at www.youtube.com/cumminsinc
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