The Diesel Engine They’re Too Scared to Name
In the grimy underbelly of power generation, where reliability is god and failure isn’t an option, Cummins has long reigned supreme. For decades, they’ve churned out engines that keep the world running – hospitals in blackouts, factories in storms, water plants in crises. But their shiny new S17 Centum Series genset? It’s hiding something ugly. It’s a diesel engine. Yet, in their slick press release, Cummins couldn’t choke out the word “diesel.” Not once. Why the cowardice? Are they embarrassed by their own legacy? Or is this a calculated dodge?
Let’s get real. The S17 Centum Series is a 17-litre beast pumping out up to 1 megawatt of juice. It’s built for standby power – think commercial buildings, healthcare hubs, and infrastructure that can’t afford to flinch. Cummins calls it a masterpiece: compact, potent, and – here’s the twist – it runs on HVO fuel, a renewable diesel. But make no mistake: it’s a diesel engine at heart. So why the silence? Why skirt the word like it’s toxic?
Maybe because diesel is a pariah now. Climate rules are tightening, cities are banning it, and the world’s racing towards cleaner energy. Diesel, once the king of industry, is now a villain, coughing up carbon while renewables steal the spotlight. But Cummins isn’t ready to quit. They’re sinking cash into diesel tech while tossing a token nod to sustainability. It’s a shaky gamble, and they’re hoping no one notices.
Then there’s their dividend mess. In May 2025, Cummins announced a quarterly payout of $1.82 per share, due 5 June 2025. Sounds fine, right? Except months earlier, they pulled their full-year forecast, blaming “economic uncertainty from tariffs.” Investors were livid, clutching dividends but demanding answers. Was this a stumble or a sign of deeper trouble?
Here’s the sting. Instead of pouring money into real clean tech – hydrogen, batteries, or anything that doesn’t choke the planet – Cummins is banking on a diesel engine. Sure, HVO is cleaner than standard diesel, but it’s still a fossil fuel, pricier and harder to find. It’s a half-step, a weak gesture dressed up as progress. And they’re selling it as revolutionary.
So why are they so scared of “diesel”? Because they know it’s a dying breed. With renewables surging and electrification closing in, diesel engines are fading fast – the clunky relics of a dirtier era. But Cummins is clinging on, milking diesel for every penny before it’s game over. By dodging the word, they’re playing both sides: keeping old-school clients happy while pretending to care about the planet. It’s a cheap trick, and it’s not fooling anyone with a pulse.
That dividend cash? Wasted. They could’ve bet big on zero-emissions tech, on power systems that don’t poison the air. Instead, they’re tweaking diesel and calling it innovation. It’s lipstick on a pig. Cummins isn’t stupid – they see the shift coming. But they’re playing the short game, squeezing profits from a sinking ship while competitors eye hydrogen and electric.
Customers aren’t blind. They’re sniffing out alternatives, demanding cleaner options. Cummins’ refusal to say “diesel” screams insecurity – a company scared of its own shadow. If they’re so proud of the S17, why hide its fuel? Why make us dig for the truth? It’s not just shame; it’s strategy. They’re buying time, hoping loyalty outlasts logic.
Cummins could be leading the charge – a century of expertise, global reach, and deep pockets. Instead, they’re stuck, peddling yesterday’s tech with a side of greenwashing. The S17 Centum Series? It’s a diesel engine, plain and simple. And no amount of HVO hype can hide that. Cummins needs to stop hiding, ditch the diesel crutch, and build something worth shouting about. Until then, their secret’s out – and it stinks.
Lee Thompson – Founder, The Cummins Accountability Project