Cummins Westport begins production of ISL G Near Zero NOx natural gas engine; first commercially available near zero NOx MidRange engine
14 October 2016
Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) announced that orders are being processed and production of the ISL G Near Zero (NZ) NOx natural gas engine (earlier post) has commenced. The 8.9-liter ISL G NZ is the first MidRange engine in North America to receive emission certification from both US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Air Resources Board (ARB) in California to meet the optional 0.02 g/bhp-hr. Near Zero NOx Emissions standards eight years in advance of the 2023 California Near Zero NOx schedule and contributing to California Clean Air initiatives.
Exhaust emissions of the ISL G NZ are 90% lower than the current EPA and ARB NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr and also meet the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas (GHG) emission requirements. CWI natural gas engines have met the 2010 EPA standard for particulate matter (0.01 g/bhp-hr) since 2001.
The start of production of the ISL G Near Zero natural gas engine offers a game-changing solution for the reduction of urban tailpipe and engine related emissions. Combined with the reliability and operating improvements on the base ISL G engine, the ISL G Near Zero is now at the forefront of cost-effective and dependable emission reduction strategies in transit, medium-duty truck and refuse applications.
—Rob Neitzke, President of Cummins Westport
The ISL G NZ can operate on compressed, liquid, or renewable natural gas (RNG). Operating ISL G NZ engines on RNG offers a significant GHG emissions benefit compared to fossil fuels. In addition to the dramatic reduction in NOx, the ISL G NZ will feature Closed Crankcase Ventilation, reducing engine related GHG methane emissions by 70%.
Leveraging the technology improvements of the ISL G, the ISL G NZ offers customers the benefit of improved reliability and durability as well as range and performance with the lowest emissions, utilizing maintenance-free Three-Way Catalyst (TWC) aftertreatment. TWCs are effective, simple, passive devices, packaged as part of the muffler. Cummins Westport natural gas engines do not require active aftertreatment such as a Diesel Particulate Filter or Selective Catalytic Reduction.
The ISL G NZ is manufactured at the Cummins Engine Plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Backed by a Cummins Factory Warranty and supported by Cummins Service Network, the ISL G NZ offers low emission performance and efficiency with engine ratings from 250-320 horsepower, and 660-1,000 lb-ft torque available. For the convenience of customers, base warranty, extended coverage options, maintenance procedures, and service intervals are the same as the current ISL G.
The ISL G NZ engine is available as a first fit engine with transit, shuttle and school bus, refuse and truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), or as an engine replacement (repower) for existing ISL G vehicles.
CWI would like to acknowledge engine development funding support from South Coast Air Quality Management District, SoCalGas, and the California Energy Commission.
In September, the California Energy Commission approved a $1-million grant to develop a 12-liter natural gas engine that produces near-zero nitrogen oxide (NOx) tailpipe emissions. (Earlier post.)
Comments