Cummins’ HELM X15 engine for heavy-duty trucks, now part of an agnostic and integrated powertrain
Let's get familiar with the loose acronym HELM, standing for Higher Efficiency Lower Emissions Multiple Fuels. “We have applied our decades of experience with the X15 to our next-generation product and believe these investments will serve our customers well into the future”, said José Samperio, Vice President, North America On-Highway at Cummins. The X15N is being used by Kenworth and Peterbilt and, from 2025 onwards, also by Freightliner.
Cummins’ X15 fuel agnostic engine platform, introduced for the very first time at IAA 2022, now relies on a revised X15 diesel and natural gas engine, also ready for being used with hydrogen in the future. Cummins presented the latest novelties concerning the X15 platform during a dedicated online event on February 29. Sustainable Truck&Van participated in the launch event.
Cummins’ HELM X15 engine
There, we got familiar with the loose acronym HELM, standing for Higher Efficiency Lower Emissions Multiple Fuels. “We have applied our decades of experience with the X15 to our next-generation product and believe these investments will serve our customers well into the future. The next generation X15 is the next evolution of technology, truly proving to the world that we never stop innovating,” said José Samperio, Vice President, North America On-Highway at Cummins. “We are working hard to ensure the new product delivers our brand promise to customers for the important jobs they need to do every day.”
The diesel X15, conceived for heavy-duty truck in North America and beyond, will be compliant with U.S. EPA and CARB 2027 aligned regulations at launch. Advanced diesel X15 will feature improved greenhouse gas and fuel efficiency benefits while retaining the same ratings of the current X15 (up to 605 horsepower). The X15N, the natural gas variant, is the first engine on the Cummins HELM™ platforms available to customers. The Cummins HELM platforms include the B, X10, and X15 engine platforms. Also, the new X15 is capable of using biodiesel blends up to 20% and renewable diesel blends up to 100%.
The integration with Eaton and Meritor powertrain components
It’s quite important to mention that the engine is now part of an optimized powertrain integrated with Eaton Cummins and Cummins-Meritor products and solutions. According to Cummins’ On-Highway top management, it is the result of significant investments made by the Columbus-based specialist in the latest years.
Technically speaking, the X15 architecture utilizes a belt-driven, high output 48-volt alternator and aftertreatment heater solution, optimized for increasingly stringent emission standards. Customers taking advantage of EX ratings (requires Eaton Cummins Endurant and GPS look-ahead data) with Cummins Meritor axles, brakes and drivelines will experience additional optimized fuel efficiency and drivability through features such as predictive gear shifting, on-ramp boost, and hill roll out.
“This new architecture expands on the legacy of the X15 engine. All teams involved recognize how important this product is and what it means for both Cummins and our customers’ future as the base architecture will carry us through the horizon of diesel technology and alternate fuels,” added Jonathon White, Vice President, Engine Business Engineering, Cummins.
