Cummins has been awarded $5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) for its project to develop a high-power density inverter, to continue the company’s innovative work to find additional ways to reduce emissions across global power and energy solutions.
The project is one of 24 announced by the DOE. The agency will invest $60 million in these projects aimed at reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from passenger cars and light and heavy-duty trucks. The projects will help decarbonize the transportation sector and enhance the infrastructure needed to support the growing adoption of zero-emissions vehicles — crucial to reaching the Biden-Harris Administration’s ambitious goal of a net-zero emissions economy by 2050.
“It’s our mission to help our customers reduce their carbon footprints today, as the transition to zero-emissions accelerates globally,” said Wayne Eckerle, vice president of Research and Technology for Cummins. “As producers in early adoption markets, we use our learnings to improve the enabling technology, bring down costs, improve performance and ultimately incentivize additional markets to transition. Forging a path to zero-emissions will strengthen American competitiveness, create good jobs that last, and combat climate change while providing cleaner air for all; and these grant awards and partnerships help us achieve these aims.”
Transportation accounts for approximately 30 percent of total U.S. energy needs and generates the largest share of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions. The projects, funded through DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO), address the two largest contributors to transportation sector emissions: passenger cars and light-duty trucks account for nearly 60 percent of transportation emissions, and medium and heavy-duty trucks account for nearly 25 percent of transportation emissions.