Cummins sees data-center generator orders stretch into 2028

On 17 September 2026, Cummins executives speaking at the Morgan Stanley Laguna Conference highlighted an improving North American truck market and sustained power demand from data centers. James Hopkins, vice president of financial planning, capital management and investor relations, noted that the North American truck market has rebounded over the past six months after a soft year, driven by better fleet profitability and clearer Environmental Protection Agency rules for 2027 emissions.

The Environmental Protection Agency framework provides flexibility for 2027 by allowing manufacturers to sell historical powertrains alongside non-conforming penalties or supply new powertrains that meet a 35 mg/bhp-hr nitrogen oxide limit. Hopkins stated that Cummins intends to pass these penalties entirely to the market. Although average selling prices on older products will rise, dollar profits will remain steady and percentage margins will compress. For new powertrains, which launch at low volumes in early 2027, the company expects higher prices and wider margins.

In the data-center market, Cummins is booking orders for its QSK95 generator into the second half of 2028. Nick Arens, executive director of investor relations, said customers facing supply constraints on the 95-liter unit are turning to 78-liter, 60-liter and 50-liter alternatives. The company reaffirmed its target to surpass $9 billion in data-center revenue exposure by 2030, supported by standby diesel demand and a recently renewed multiyear agreement with a large hyperscale customer.

Cummins plans to deploy capital to reach 55 gigawatts of high-horsepower engine capacity across mining, standby generation and prime-power applications by 2030. Additional capacity will begin operating next year, alongside prototype testing for a 130-liter natural-gas product in the second half of 2028. Meanwhile, Cummins narrowed losses at its Accelera division by trimming research spending and exiting electrolyzers, while continuing share buybacks and dividend payments.