Air Products, a global industrial gases company and hydrogen producer, will work with Cummins to convert its global fleet of approximately 2,000 trucks to hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles and help accelerate the overall growth of hydrogen fuel cell trucks in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

Under the memorandum of understanding, Cummins will provide hydrogen fuel cell electric powertrains integrated into selected OEM partners’ heavy-duty trucks for Air Products. A demonstration and pilot phase is expected to begin in 2022.

Cummins and Air Products also will work together to increase the accessibility of renewable hydrogen, including hydrogen infrastructure.

“We believe hydrogen is the future for heavy-duty segments of the transportation market, and we can demonstrate to the world its merits by being a first-mover in transitioning our heavy-duty fleet of trucks to hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles,” said Seifi Ghasemi, Air Products’ chairman, president and chief executive officer. “Sustainability is Air Products’ growth strategy and creates our growth opportunities, and nothing says more about our company’s approach to sustainability than a fleet of zero-emission vehicles on the road delivering product to customers every day.”

Tom Linebarger, chairman and CEO at Cummins, called the deal “another turning point for hydrogen and the energy transition.”

“As we develop the technologies of tomorrow, we need the partnership of others to be successful, and this partnership with Air Products is the next step in leading the industry on the path to a zero-emissions future.”

In addition to heavy-duty applications such as transit fleets, where Air Products is already providing fueling solutions, the semi-truck market is a major opportunity for hydrogen, said Eric Guter, Air Products’ vice president for hydrogen for mobility solutions. “Only hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can provide the necessary range, refueling time, and weight requirements to decarbonize this important transportation sector.”

Hydrogen fuel cells are gaining momentum as a zero-emissions technology in heavy-duty applications due to the duty cycles, especially in extreme climate conditions, according to the announcement.

Air Products technologies are used in more than 1.5 million refuelings annually across 20 countries, according to the company, with Air Products having been involved in over 250 projects. Air Products has more than 60 years of global hydrogen experience in more than 50 countries.

Cummins has a broad portfolio of hydrogen technologies, including PEM electrolyzer and fuel cell solutions. To date, the company has deployed more than 2,000 fuel cells and 600 electrolyzers globally.