Non-diesel Propulsion Part of Cummins' Future

摘要

Power-generation equipment has been part of Cummins' lineup for years; it has a 50-50 partner in the Cummins Westport alternative-fuel operation; it's recently entered into a joint venture involving automated transmissions; and now it's going into electric powertrains. The Aeos battery-electric vehicle, unveiled at the Cummins Technical Center as a single-rear-axle tractor, is suitable for construction, said Julie Furber, who heads the company's Electrification Business Development unit. Production of this powertrain is planned for 2019. Aeos has a 100-mile range, with its battery pack rechargeable within that duty cycle. With a "range extender" engine and generator under its sloped hood, it could operate for 300 miles before recharging from the power grid. A Cummins B6.7 diesel or a similarly sized gasoline engine could be used, Furber said. A fuel cell could substitute for an engine and generator.