Kenworth Truck Co. received the 2007 Industry Innovation Award for alternative fuel trucks at the Alternative Fuels & Vehicle National Conference and Expo held recently in Anaheim, Calif. The award was presented by the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute and honors companies that collaboratively identify solutions to help overcome obstacles to clean transportation alternatives.
“Kenworth is honored to receive this prestigious innovation award presented by the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute,” says Bob Christensen, general manager of Kirkland, Wash.-based Kenworth and Paccar vice president. Kenworth received the alternative fuel industry’s top innovation award for the Kenworth T800 liquefied natural gas (LNG) truck shown at the conference. Kenworth shares the award with its Southern California dealer Inland Kenworth, Clean Energy and Westport Innovations.
“Kenworth is the industry leader and original pioneer in the development of aerodynamic, lightweight commercial vehicles which have dramatically reduced fuel consumption and increased the productivity of freight transportation,” Christensen says. “This award recognizes Kenworth’s current leadership in the development of alternative fuel and hybrid vehicles which offer additional fuel efficiency and positive environmental solutions for customers.”
The collaborative effort involved Kenworth T800s that are being placed into the California port markets of Los Angeles and Long Beach, two of the nation’s busiest ports. The Kenworth T800s are equipped with Westport Innovations’ LNG fuel system that runs primarily on liquefied natural gas and is installed on the Cummins 15-liter engine. The result is reduced emissions and less reliance on diesel fuel by running the cleaner LNG fuel, Kenworth says.
Kenworth’s current environmental efforts also include the new Kenworth Clean Power no-idle system, which enters into production this summer; and the new Kenworth T270 Class 6 hybrid truck that was displayed at the conference. “Customers and regional authorities are looking for fuel-efficient, environmental-friendly solutions,” Christensen says. “Kenworth Clean Power and the Kenworth medium-duty hybrid vehicle also offer the benefits of reduced fuel use as well as the civic impact of responsible environmental practices.”
