Cummins plans to test trucks equipped with its powertrains at Allison Transmission’s Vehicle Electrification + Environmental Test Center (VE + ET) in Indianapolis.
The 60,000-sq.-ft. facility is the only one of its kind in the Midwest, designed to facilitate year-round testing in a controlled environment, Allison reported. The facility supports a wide range of vehicle testing, including those powered by diesel, gasoline, natural gas, hydrogen, and battery-electric systems. Its capabilities help OEMs and suppliers who aim to reduce product development and validation timelines, ensuring that new technologies can be brought to market “swiftly and efficiently.”
“We are thrilled to leverage the advanced testing capabilities of Allison’s Vehicle Electrification + Environmental Test Center to further enhance our product development efforts,” Tom Marsh, Cummins X15 program leader, said in a news release. “The facility’s ability to simulate real-world conditions in a secure and repeatable environment is invaluable as we continue to innovate and improve our powertrain technologies.”
The advanced testing facility’s controlled thermal environments and dynamometer road simulations can replicate a broad range of duty cycles, offering the ability to test vehicle performance under various extreme conditions, Allison added. This enhances the reliability of results and reduces costs compared to on-road testing.
“Allison’s Vehicle Electrification + Environmental Test Center is equipped to handle a diverse array of testing scenarios across all major propulsion types, which makes it an ideal choice for Cummins’ innovative engine technologies,” said Michael O’Quin, VE + ET associate director. “We are excited to support Cummins in their efforts to optimize their product development through our specialized testing capabilities.”