Diesel powertrains vs battery electric powertrains explained
Summary
Diesel powertrains and battery electric powertrains each offer distinct advantages depending on the application. Diesel excels in long-distance travel, durability and versatility across industries like trucking, agriculture and mining, while electric powertrains are best suited for urban stop-and-go driving and offer zero tailpipe emissions with lower maintenance requirements.
Today's clean diesel engines emit 90% less emissions than engines produced before 2000, and Cummins on-highway engines from 2007 onward are compatible with up to B20 biodiesel, offering a lower-emissions option for those not yet ready to switch to electric.
As technology and infrastructure continue to evolve, both powertrains play a role in the broader sustainability objectives for the transportation industry. Discover the differences between diesel powertrains and battery electric powertrains, and how both help us in our journey to reduce emissions.
Key differences between diesel and battery electric powertrains
| Component | Diesel powertrains | Battery electric powertrains |
|---|---|---|
| Power source | Diesel engine | Electric motor |
| Energy storage | Fuel tank | Battery |
| Energy input | Diesel fuel (combustion) | Electricity |
| Transmission | Yes | Single or multi-speed (optional) |
| Additional components | Drive shafts, differentials, and axles | Power electronics, inverter, and vehicle controller |
The powertrain refers to a set of parts that work together to provide the power to move a vehicle.
Diesel powertrains use a diesel engine to power the vehicle. Diesel fuel is injected into the engine, which creates thermal energy through combustion and generates the power to move the vehicle. A diesel powertrain includes the transmission, drive shafts, differentials and axles that work together to move the vehicle.
In electric vehicles, the components of a powertrain are a bit different, but the basic idea is the same. Instead of an engine, there is an electric motor. Instead of a fuel tank, there is a battery.
The motor uses energy from the battery to spin the wheels. The powertrain includes power electronics, like an inverter, to control the speed and the power of the electric motor and a vehicle controller to align all the main and auxiliary power components based on energy needs and consumption. Depending on a customer’s application and needs, the powertrain can include either a single or multi-speed transmission.
Like how a diesel vehicle goes to a diesel station when it’s time to refuel, an electric vehicle would go to a charging station. There are different levels of charging stations available to meet the demands of electric commercial vehicles. The adoption of higher-power charging stations in the future will reduce the charge time to be similar to how long it takes to refill a diesel tank.
When we compare diesel engines and battery electric powertrains, they have their strengths and challenges. Electric vehicles lead the way in sustainability as they don’t emit carbon emissions when in operation. On the other hand, while diesel engines still emit emissions, diesel technology has improved. Today’s clean diesel engines emit 90% less emissions than the engines produced before the year 2000. Additionally, all Cummins’ automotive and industrial engines are compatible with B5 biodiesel. Cummins’ on-highway engine models from 2007 on (to today) are B20 compatible.
What are the advantages of diesel and battery electric powertrains?
| Category | Diesel powertrains | Battery electric powertrains |
|---|---|---|
| Best use case | Long-distance travel | Urban stop-and-go traffic |
| Emissions | Reduced (90% less than pre-2000) | Zero tailpipe emissions |
| Fuel efficiency | 20–25% farther per gallon vs. gasoline | Regenerates energy when stopping |
| Maintenance | Durable with long lifespan | Fewer parts with limited maintenance |
| Biofuel compatibility | Up to B20 (2007+ engines) | Not applicable |
Each powertrain type offers key advantages and benefits to customers. Electric powertrains are best suited for urban city transportation where drivers experience stop-and-go traffic more frequently. Each time an electric vehicle stops, energy is generated by the electric motor and fed back into the onboard energy storage system to be used for the next acceleration. Electric powertrains require limited maintenance as they do not have as many parts – no fuel filters, aftertreatment systems or additives.
There are also key advantages to diesel engines. Diesel engines are some of the most fuel and energy-efficient options in the market. They are a great option for long-distance travel, as diesel vehicles can travel 20% to 25% farther on a single gallon of fuel compared to similarly sized gasoline vehicles. In addition to their long-distance capabilities, diesel engines have a long lifespan, built tough to handle high compression and hard work. They deliver strong acceleration, towing and hauling potential.
For customers looking to reduce their emissions today, since 2007, all Cummins engines have been approved to use blends up to B20.
Ultimately, there are many factors to consider when choosing if a diesel or battery electric powertrain is right for a customer – whether it meets their day-to-day needs, emissions targets or business goals all within their budget.
Examples of electrification in transportation
As technologies evolve and infrastructure improves, these considerations may change, further tipping the scales in favor of electric vehicles.
Electric school buses
Battery electric buses already represent the future of public transportation. The West Grand School District (WGSD) in Colorado added Blue Bird Type-D All-American electric bus to its fleet in March 2020. The bus features an Accelera™ by Cummins PowerDrive 7000 system. The Orange Unified School District (OUSD) in California currently operates with 15 Accelera-powered Blue Bird electric buses and has applied for funding for an additional 16.
Using only electricity for power. The electric buses remove carbon tailpipe emissions from the equations, significantly improving local air quality, lowering noise pollution and improving the driver and passenger experience.
Both WGSD and OUSD report that their communities and students enjoy the quiet, clean ride and appreciate that there are no exhaust smells when using electric buses.
Electric Trucks
The trucking industry is increasingly adopting electric powertrain systems for medium and heavy-duty applications. Battery electric trucks significantly reduce operating costs due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses, and with zero tailpipe emissions, they contribute to cleaner air quality and the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
If you’re interested in learning more about battery electric power solutions, don’t forget to explore Accelera™ by Cummins battery systems and solutions.
Examples of diesel engines in transportation
Having been working for over a hundred years, diesel engines are deeply integrated into our daily lives, powering many industries, businesses and communities.
On-Highway applications
- Trucking: The trucking industry relies heavily on diesel engines, from dump trucks, pickup trucks and utility vehicles to box and flatbed trucks.
- First Responders: Diesel engines are reliable and durable, making them an optimal option for first responders. First responders don’t need to be concerned about whether or not their engine will start in the event of an emergency call.
- Defense: Military companies depend on the durability of diesel engines on the battlefield.
Off-Highway applications
- Agriculture: Diesel engines help farmers ensure that food moves from their fields to our tables. Cummins has powered agriculture for over 100 years with over 1 million Cummins engines currently running for the world’s farmers.
- Construction: Time is money. Advanced diesel engines like the Cummins X12 and X15 increase load capabilities and use less fuel.
- Mining: Advanced diesel engines like the QSK60 offer more uptime and productivity while lowering emissions, keeping mines operating and moving toward a more sustainable future. Cummins has also approved the use of unblended hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 90% when considering the whole lifecycle.
If you’re interested in diesel, you can learn more about how diesel engines are helping us today.
Together, we work toward a lower-emissions future
Cummins is well positioned as one of the few global companies capable of providing integrated solutions across a range of combustion and electric powertrains. Through our Destination Zero strategy, Cummins is integrating the widest range of power technologies so customers can decarbonize today, while planning for power of the future.
Learn more about our Destination Zero strategy today.
About Accelera™ by Cummins:
Accelera by Cummins provides a diverse portfolio of zero-emissions solutions for the world’s most economically vital industries, empowering them to accelerate the transition to a sustainable future. Accelera, a business segment of Cummins Inc., is both a components supplier and integrator, focused on batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, e-axles, traction drive and electrolyzers. Accelera currently has operations in North America, across Europe and in Asia.
Cummins, a global power technology leader, is a corporation of complementary business segments that design, manufacture, distribute and service a broad portfolio of power solutions. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (U.S.), Cummins employs approximately 73,600 people committed to powering a more prosperous world. It operates a robust distribution and support network in more than 190 countries and territories. Cummins earned about $2.2 billion on sales of $28.1 billion in 2022.
To learn more about Accelera by Cummins, visit accelerazero.com.
Frequently asked questions
Diesel engines are fuel and energy-efficient and deliver strong acceleration, towing and hauling potential. Battery electric trucks significantly reduce operating costs due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses, and produce zero tailpipe emissions.
Planning a strategy based on the current commercial electric truck technology advantages and expected advancements can help a trucking sustainability professional transition their fleet.
On the electric side, battery electric trucks significantly reduce operating costs due to lower fuel and maintenance expenses and produce zero tailpipe emissions. Electric powertrains require limited maintenance as they have fewer parts: no fuel filters, aftertreatment systems or additives. As infrastructure improves and higher-power charging stations are adopted, charge times are expected to become comparable to refilling a diesel tank.
For fleets not yet ready to fully transition, Cummins on-highway engines from 2007 onward are compatible with B20 biodiesel, offering a lower-emissions option now. Today's clean diesel engines also already emit 90% less emissions than engines produced before 2000.
A powertrain is a set of parts that work together to provide the power to move a vehicle.
Diesel fuel is injected into the engine, which creates thermal energy through combustion and generates the power to move the vehicle. This process includes the transmission, drive shafts, differentials and axles.
An electric motor uses energy from a battery to spin the wheels. Power electronics like an inverter control the speed and power of the motor, and a vehicle controller aligns all main and auxiliary power components based on energy needs.
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