We view our gensets as more than just a product; we offer a complete service throughout the product’s lifespan of 15-20 years

We view our gensets as more than just a product; we offer a complete service throughout the product’s lifespan of 15-20 years
JAMESON MENDONCA
Power Generation Business Leader, Cummins India

 

What were the launches that Cummins has done?

The primary highlight remains our CPCB 4 Plus genset launch, which we introduced earlier in June 2023. Cummins was the first to launch the entire CPCB 4+ range well in advance, even though the original launch date was scheduled for July 2023. Initially, the adoption of CPCB 4+ gensets was slow, particularly limited to the NCR regions due to specific conditions. But we focused on being ready with the right technology at the right time, ensuring a smooth rollout of this cleaner, more efficient range.

 

How do you look at the market for your products?

From the initial days that we have seen, there has been a good uptake of the CPCB 4 Plus range. These gensets are cleaner, more efficient, and offer significantly lower emissions. Especially in regions like Delhi, where pollution levels are a concern, these gensets are exempt from restrictions, allowing them to run 24x7 even during GRAP periods. This development is a huge step towards improving the environment by reducing the overall pollution contribution from gensets.

 

India is a very price-sensitive market. How are you balancing between price of your product and quality?

At Cummins, we view our gensets as more than just a product; we offer a complete service throughout the product’s lifespan of 15-20 years. While there might be lower-cost products available, they often require frequent service intervals. Cummins combines advanced technologies from our global experience in the US and UK markets with local expertise to deliver robust, durable, and high-quality products. Our extensive service network ensures consistent support, giving customers a reliable, long-term solution.

 

The government is announcing infrastructure projects every month. How will you maintain scalability compared to demand for your products?

Cummins is fully prepared to scale up as demand increases. Our modular engine architecture allows us to use the same engine platforms across automotive, construction, and genset applications. This modularity helps us expand capacity quickly when needed. We also work closely with our suppliers to monitor market trends and ensure we are ready to meet any sudden shifts in demand.

 

Are there any markets that you think still need to be penetrated?

Cummins has a robust global presence through its extensive distribution network, spanning almost every corner of the world, including North America, China, Europe, Africa, and more. However, there are still areas in Africa where we believe our presence can be expanded. We continue to focus on improving our reach in such regions while strengthening our existing markets.

Do you have plans to use hybrid or hydrogen engines in your gensets?

Cummins is actively investing in next-generation technologies, including batteries, hydrogen fuel cells, and hydrogen IC engines. Globally, we have these technologies ready, but mass adoption in India depends on demand and infrastructure availability.

For niche customers, such as those producing excess hydrogen for refineries, we are already capable of providing hydrogen-powered gensets. However, at this stage, diesel remains the dominant choice for mass markets due to its cost-effectiveness.

 

What suggestion would you give to the government regarding any policy changes?

One critical suggestion would be to introduce a scrappage policy for older gensets, similar to what has been implemented for vehicles. Many gensets from the 1990s and 2000s are still operational, contributing to high emissions. Phasing out these older gensets and replacing them with cleaner CPCB 4 + models will significantly improve air quality.