The Hyliion Hypertruck ERX is pictured. Cummins Inc. and Hyliion recently announced a partnership to place Cummins natural gas engines in the Hypertruck.

Cummins Inc. is partnering with a Texas company to optimize Cummins’ natural gas engines for use in the Hyliion Hypertruck ERX.

The engines would be used in Class 8 trucks, which have a gross vehicle weight rating exceeding 33,000 pounds and include tractor-trailers, some single-unit dump trucks and non-commercial chassis fire trucks. The Hypertruck ERX is an electric powertrain that is recharged by an onboard natural gas generator.

Together the companies will work to obtain environmental certifications for Cummins’ natural gas internal combustion engines to be used in Hyliion’s Hypertruck ERX powertrain. The Hyliion Hypertruck ERX is an electric range extender semi-truck powertrain solution using onboard power generation to recharge the batteries.

“We are excited to work with Hyliion to offer this range extender electric and natural gas powertrain in the North America heavy duty truck market,” said J. Michael Taylor, Cummins Inc. general manager of global powertrain integration. “Natural gas solutions are an integral part of our journey towards zero emissions. Integrating our engine with the Hyliion Hypertruck ERX solution is key to offering our customers a portfolio of powertrains across many fuel options to meet their sustainability goals.”

Start of production for the Hypertruck ERX with the ISX12N Cummins natural gas power is anticipated to begin in late 2023. The Hyliion Hypertruck ERX offers 75-miles of electric range to qualify for credits under CARB’s upcoming ZEV mandates and can achieve up to 1,000 miles of full range through the generator, greatly reducing range anxiety. Cummins’ ISX12N will be optimized with the Hyliion Hypertruck ERX, so that it can use the existing 700 natural gas stations across North America for low-cost refueling.

In the first quarter, Hyiion secured orders for production slots backed by deposits from multiple fleets, bringing the total number of orders to 170 units for the Hypertruck ERX. Orders are expected to ship between late 2023 and the first quarter of 2024. The company also has received reservations totaling nearly 2,000 units to date, though those orders and reservations remain subject to the finalization of commercial terms.

GreenPath Logistics ordered 50 Hypertruck ERX units backed by deposits to secure production slots after their Ride and Drive experience at Hyliion HQ. The Dallas-based, full-service private fleet – which uses only vehicles powered by alternative fuels – will begin initial controlled fleet trials for the Hypertruck ERX in their operations later this year. GreenPath Logistics moves freight for customers including Amazon, UPS, and the United States Postal Service.

In the first quarter, the California Air Resource Board (CARB) released draft language for their Advanced Clean Fleet (ACF) mandate. This initiative puts requirements on the fleets regarding credits that must be obtained by adopting clean vehicles. Under the current draft language of the ACF Rule, the Hypertruck ERX will qualify for a full credit for each vehicle the fleet adopts. The Hypertruck ERX will also qualify for 75% of a ZEV credit under the Advanced Clean Truck (ACT) CARB mandate.

Hyliion is still trying to establish itself financially. First quarter financial results showed revenue of $300,000, a 70% increase from the fourth quarter of 2021. The company closed the first quarter of 2022 with $527 million on its balance sheet, but is projecting full-year 2022 revenues of between $2 and $3 million while incurring expenses of $135 to $145 million.

“The recent expansion of our sales force has paid immediate dividends and we are progressing quickly with our commercialization plans to take advantage of the positive feedback we continue to receive from customers at our ongoing Ride and Drive events,” said Thomas Healy, Hyliion’s founded and CEO. “2022 should be a critical year for Hyliion’s product development as we advance our technology solutions to address the transportation sector’s environmental impact.”