In 2025, Cummins Inc., a global transportation systems leader, was navigating a complex energy transition guided by its Destination Zero strategy, which aimed for net-zero emissions by 2050. The company faced a dual imperative: driving profitability in its core internal combustion engine (ICE) business while adjusting investments in Accelera, its zero-emissions unit. Despite a downturn in North American heavy-duty truck demand, Cummins achieved record revenues of $34.1 billion in 2024. This financial strength fueled its long-term vision, including an ambitious goal of $43-$48 billion in revenue by 2030. The company’s resilience was driven by factors like data center growth, emissions regulations, and gaining market share as competitors deprioritized their own engine investments. However, the path to decarbonization was proving unpredictable. Accelera’s journey had been challenged by slower-than-expected adoption, leading to a strategic reorganization and the acknowledgement that its 2027 break-even target was no longer on track. The primary obstacle was erratic and divergent global regulation. The U.S. had slowed its support, Europe faced operational hurdles, and China was accelerating its adoption of battery-electric trucks. Accelera’s portfolio faced distinct challenges: it was well-positioned in Western e-mobility but volumes were low and it lagged significantly in China. The U.S. electrolyzer market was “very challenged” due to shifting policy, forcing a pivot to Europe. Meanwhile, its fuel cell investments were simultaneously too large for near-term adoption and too small to compete with giants like Toyota. Cummins’ pragmatic “two-plank strategy” advanced ICEs with “bridge technologies” like the HELM™ fuel-agnostic platform while investing in Accelera. This approach was tested by intense competition, especially from Chinese players who presented a fundamentally different threat than traditional industry rivals. As Cummins adapted to this dynamic landscape, the road to Destination Zero promised to be bumpy.
