Accelera by Cummins, the zero-emissions business segment of Cummins Inc. [NYSE: CMI], has opened a new manufacturing line at its Fuel Cell Systems Production Center in Herten, Germany. The new line produces proton exchange membrane (PEM) stacks and fuel cell modules that can be used for heavy-duty commercial vehicles, including trains, buses and trucks, further establishing the site as a clean technology hub in Germany.
“The launch of our new fuel cell production line in Herten is an exciting development in Accelera’s ongoing commitment to providing green hydrogen solutions for our customers,” said Dawn Wehr, General Manager of Fuel Cells for Accelera. “By supporting the local economy through job creation and community investment, we’re continuing to accelerate the advancement of clean, heavy-duty transportation options throughout Germany and Europe.”
Since opening the Herten site in November 2021, Accelera continues to provide an economic boost to the local economy—more than 100 new jobs in clean technology have been created and Accelera’s capital investment in the site has totaled more than $15 million USD.
“We are very pleased about this next step just two years after the start of initial fuel cell system production. It is a milestone in Herten’s efforts to become an important location for hydrogen technology,” said Herten Mayor Matthias Müller.
“In order to remain an enticing and competitive industrial location in the future, we in North Rhine-Westphalia need to invest in sustainable, future-oriented processes and products,” said Mona Neubaur, Deputy Premier and Minister for Economic Affairs, Industry, Climate Action and Energy of the State of North Rhine Westphalia. “The establishment of a new production line for stacks and fuel cell modules by Accelera in Herten is a significant step in the evolution of the hydrogen economy and the drive for revolution in our state, proving that it is worthwhile for international companies to invest in the northern Ruhr region. Commitments like these are valuable and create good, high-quality jobs.”
“We will only achieve the climate targets for the transport sector with climate-friendly drivetrains. The opening of the fuel cell production line in Herten brings us closer to this goal,” said Hartmut Höppner, State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport. “The fuel cells produced here are urgently needed in heavy goods transport to reduce CO2 emissions. With this line, the city of Herten will become an important location for hydrogen-based, climate-neutral logistics.”
Home to production, testing, research and development, Accelera’s Herten site assembles and tests fuel cell systems in-house before customer delivery. The new line will produce PEM stacks and fuel cell power modules for heavy-duty applications.
Accelera fuel cells continue to accelerate the shift to a cleaner future by powering zero-emissions applications around the world. In March, Accelera announced the successful commissioning of its first fuel cell powered locomotive for freight rail applications as part of the HY2RAIL project in Austria. Also, from June to September 2023, Accelera powered North America’s first hydrogen passenger train in Quebec, Canada, which saved more than 2,000 gallons of diesel and eliminated 22 tons of potential CO2 emissions.
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