Cummins, Isuzu to Test Battery Electric Truck

Engine and powertrain manufacturer Cummins Inc. agreed to work with truck-builder Isuzu Motors Ltd. to develop a prototype medium-duty, battery electric truck to demonstrate in North America. It will be the first “zero-emissions” product development of the Isuzu Cummins Powertrain Partnership (ICPP) formed in May 2019, combining the Cummins PowerDrive6000 hybrid electric powertrain into Isuzu’s F-Series truck. According to Amy Davis, vice president and president of New Power at Cummins, “It’s through our joint commitment in innovation that we provide our customers with safe, reliable zero-emissions solutions.”

Pilot versions of the truck will be tested with North American fleets later this year. Following that step, Isuzu will seek to commercialize medium-duty, battery-electric trucks with Cummins-powered systems. Last year Cummins and Isuzu  entered into an Advanced Technology Agreement to conduct joint research for various powertrain technologies.

At that time the two expanded the scope of the 2019 partnership (initially focused on diesel power) to include new power sources, including electrical powertrain technologies, as part of the ‘path to carbon neutral’.”

“As addressed in Isuzu Environmental Vision 2050, we will advance global environmental actions including reducing greenhouse emissions and securing a prosperous and sustainable society,” stated Koichi Seto, director and senior executive officer at Isuzu. “As part of the path to carbon neutrality, it is significant for us to start this joint BEV prototype project in North America.”