© Cummins

US engineering group Cummins will deliver a hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2-ICE) to Anadolu Isuzu in 2025 for prototype testing on the Turkish manufacturer’s Kendo intercity bus, marking one of the first real-world trials of the technology in heavy-duty transport.

The collaboration underscores growing industry interest in hydrogen-fueled engines as a potential bridge technology for decarbonizing road transport — particularly in markets where the shift to battery-electric or fuel cell vehicles faces cost or infrastructure barriers.

Cummins hydrogen engine specifications and testing timeline

Cummins’ B6.7H engine, rated at 216 kW (290 hp) and 1,200 Nm of torque, is designed to deliver diesel-like performance while running entirely on hydrogen. Manufactured at the company’s Darlington plant in the UK, the engines will be shipped to Anadolu Isuzu’s Kocaeli facility for integration and vehicle-level testing throughout 2026, according to company statements.

The Kendo, a 13-metre coach typically equipped with a Cummins L9N compressed natural gas engine, will serve as the first test platform. Anadolu Isuzu — a joint venture between Anadolu Group, Isuzu Motors, and Itochu Corporation — is also assessing the potential to adapt the engine for city and shuttle bus models in its portfolio.

Cummins hydrogen engine emissions and manufacturer perspectives

Cummins said initial tests indicate the hydrogen engine can achieve over a 99% reduction in tailpipe carbon emissions and ultra-low nitrogen oxide (NOx) levels compared with Euro VI diesel standards. “There is not a product like this currently available in the bus and coach market,” said Cenk Yavuz, director for Cummins Europe Bus Business, noting that customer demand exists for “natural gas-like performance with significantly reduced emissions.”

Market outlook for cummins hydrogen-powered vehicles

However, analysts have questioned the commercial case for hydrogen combustion buses, noting their lower energy efficiency compared with fuel cell and battery-electric models. Hydrogen engines convert only a fraction of the fuel’s energy into motion, though they promise simpler maintenance and a lower upfront cost — estimated at around half that of fuel cell or battery systems.

Implications for operators and policy targets

The Anadolu Isuzu project represents Cummins’ latest move to extend its hydrogen engine platform across bus and truck applications, complementing its ongoing investments in fuel cell and electrolyser technologies. If successful, the trials could offer operators in emerging markets a transitional route to meet tightening emissions targets without the full infrastructure demands of electrification.