Westport Receives 2007 US EPA and CARB Certification of Heavy-Duty LNG Class 8 Truck Engine
04 December 2007
Westport Innovations Inc. has received California Air Resources Board (CARB) and US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) certification for its High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) technology adapted to the 2007 Cummins ISX heavy-duty engine. (Earlier post.)
The EPA certification and the Executive Order from CARB certifies the HPDI LNG (liquefied natural gas) fuel system to 0.8g/bhp-hr oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 0.01g/bhp-hr Particulate Matter (PM).
Currently offered in the Kenworth T-800 and available for delivery in late 2007, the 2007 Westport LNG system is available with 400 and 450 horsepower ratings and up to 1,750 lb-ft torque for heavy-duty port, goods distribution and other commercial truck applications. LNG fuel tanks can be configured to suit customer range requirements. Trucks are eligible for a federal tax credits in the United States and may be eligible for other state-specific emissions credits.
CARB and EPA certification will provide further impetus to the plans of the Port of Los Angeles and the Port of Long Beach to replace many of the 16,800 heavy-duty trucks currently operating daily at the Ports with the Westport LNG engine and fuel system. Funding was approved 8 weeks ago for the first 158 of the new LNG vehicles.
Earlier in November, the Los Angeles and Long Beach Boards of Harbor Commissioners also voted to ban the oldest, dirtiest trucks from the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach, separately approving a tariff that will gradually limit access to all but the cleanest vehicles and reduce pollution by short-haul vehicles by 80 percent.
LNG fuelling infrastructure to support the new trucks is now under construction.
This means a lot to the operators, those trucking co.s. working out of the west coast
may - or not be so applicable where lng is not readily availble
Wonder how the interstates will resuply or is this going to be so popular as to accelerate the introduction of refuelers and new delivery systems.
Can we then expect to see conversions on smaller vehicles.
Also would lpg work as an emergency supply?
Although the heavy riggs are going to be pretty fussy I should think.
Must look into that LP boosted deisel Gasemiser type setup, the reports are that it works a treat.
Both should bring a little tear to any aussie eye.
Posted by: Arnold | 05 December 2007 at 01:10 PM