Cummins Inc., based in Columbus, Indiana, has announced its acquisition of assets from First Mode, a recognized leader in hybrid retrofit solutions for mining and rail operations. The acquisition encompasses First Mode’s hybrid mining and rail product lines, its full intellectual property portfolio, including hydrogen and battery powertrain solutions, and manufacturing and technical teams across Australia, the United States, and Chile.
This marks a significant step forward in decarbonizing mining operations, as the technology includes the first commercially available retrofit hybrid system for mining equipment. These solutions aim to reduce the total cost of ownership (TCO) for miners while accelerating the adoption of low-carbon technologies.
“This acquisition is an important step forward in our goal to lead our Power Systems customers through the energy transition,” said Jenny Bush, President of Power Systems at Cummins. “With First Mode’s hybrid retrofit technology, we are accelerating our ability to provide decarbonization solutions that meet miners’ need to drive down operating costs today.”
Strengthening Decarbonization Efforts
This acquisition reinforces Cummins’ commitment to offering innovative solutions to help the mining industry transition toward a lower-carbon future. By incorporating product hybridization and clean fuels like ethanol and methanol, Cummins is enabling miners to extend the lifecycle of their existing equipment fleets while reducing carbon emissions.
Cummins aims to bring flexibility and confidence to miners through solutions such as hybrid retrofit kits, modular upgrades, and scalable technologies—all developed in collaboration with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and tested in real-world environments.
A Global Reach for Change
With its vast global service network, Cummins is fully equipped to provide seamless integration and ongoing support for its hybrid solutions within mining and rail sectors. By investing in decarbonization technologies and developing bridge solutions, Cummins is helping miners not only adapt to today’s evolving technologies but also prepare for future innovations.
Driving Innovation with First Mode
Through this acquisition, Cummins has positioned itself as a leader in the energy transition within mining and rail industries. First Mode’s proven expertise and technologies will operate under Cummins’ Power Systems industrial segment, with the transition already underway as First Mode continues to meet customer demands and ship products in Q1.
Cummins also emphasizes the importance of meeting both sustainability goals and operational efficiency while providing cost-effective technologies, paving the way for advancements in mining decarbonization.
