Natural Gas Is the Ideal Transition Fuel: Cummins

As the transport industry transitions to electromobility, natural gas is an ideal alternative to reduce fleets’ emissions and costs, according to engine maker Cummins, which also leads the industry in hydrogen and diesel engines.

Worldwide, companies have established aggressive decarbonization targets. Natural gas is the ideal alternative, based on its power, acceleration and cruising speed, which are comparable to those of diesel but pollute considerably less, says Cummins through a press release.

Natural gas powers over 175,000 vehicles in the US and 23 million across the world, according to Cummins. In 2019, there were around 15,000 natural gas vehicles (NGVs) operating in Mexico, of which 45% were taxis, 40% cargo trucks and 15% buses, according to Deloitte. By the end of 2021, the country’s NGV grew to over 62,000 vehicles, according to AMGNV.

Natural gas offers several benefits to users, from safety to savings. Natural gas is less flammable and safer than gasoline. Lighter than air, it dissipates quickly in case of accidents. It also offers clear environmental benefits and engines run silently when burning this fuel. NGVs generate 26% less carbon dioxide emissions than traditional ICE engine vehicles. “Natural gas reduces CO2 emissions by 70% in comparison to diesel and is 50% cheaper per kilometer than traditional fuels,” said Luis Echavarría, Director General, Enco GNV, in an interview with MBN.

With Mexico’s pipeline growing on a yearly basis, wider access to compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG) could become more feasible, as reported by MBN.

Cummins Aims to Grow Buses Business

While Cummins leads the industry in the truck engine business, the power technology company aims to continue growing its share within bus engines, and natural gas represents an opportunity, says Arturo Robles, Commercial Manager Bus Segment, Mexico and Latin America, Cummins.

After the pandemic, many states in Mexico are betting on renewing their bus fleets for public transportation. Some are turning to NGVs, a technology in which Cummins has a wide range of products and extensive experience, Robles tells TyT.

Among Cummins’ main strategies for 2023, the company will remain close to carriers and truck owners across the different regions of Mexico to understand their needs, learn their operation and advise them to choose the most suitable product, says Robles. Cummins will also provide them training to operate and maintain the engines.

Cummins’ product line for buses includes diesel engines from 3.8 L to 12 L, such as: ISF 3.8, ISB 4.5, ISB 6.7, ISL 9, ISM and ISG 12. In the natural gas segment, the company offers B6.7G, B6.7N, ISLG, L9N and the ISX 12N in the 5.9 L to 12 L range.