Peterbilt Motors Co. announced Tuesday, Oct. 14, that the company will offer three new liquefied natural gas configurations on its Models 387, 386 and 367 in 2009. Peterbilt says the factory-installed LNG system is part of a joint agreement with Westport Innovations to provide natural gas versions of select Peterbilt aerodynamic and vocational vehicles.
“LNG is emerging as an alternative clean, high-performance fuel for trucks that is domestically available and economical,” says Bill Jackson, general manager of Denton, Texas-based Peterbilt and Paccar vice president. “Peterbilt is committed to delivering products that reduce harmful emissions and realistically provide the performance and economics that our customers need.”
The LNG Models 387, 386 and 367 complement Peterbilt’s existing Model 320 CNG vehicles, of which more than 50 are in operation throughout the United States. Peterbilt and Westport also have collaborated on a project to build Model 386 LNG evaluation trucks for Wal-Mart under a funding program with Mojave Air Quality Management District.
“Peterbilt is a strong commercial production partner and brings a high level of expertise and production capacity to meet the increasing interest for LNG trucks,” says Michael Gallagher, president and chief operating officer of Westport. “Peterbilt trucks were part of our first road trials, in a field test with Norcal Waste in San Francisco in 2001.”
Westport says its ISX G engine and LNG fuel system for Class 8 trucks allows trucking fleets to move to lower-cost domestically available natural gas and/or biogas while offering industry-leading emissions, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, than comparable diesel engines. Based on the Cummins ISX diesel engine with cooled exhaust gas recirculation, the LNG version of the engine offers the same horsepower, torque and efficiency as the base diesel engine it is replacing, according to the companies.
The Westport LNG fuel system comprises LNG fuel tanks, proprietary Westport fuel injectors, cryogenic fuel pumps and associated electronic components to facilitate robust performance and reliable operation. The Westport LNG system is 2007 EPA- and CARB-certified to 0.8g/bhp-hr NOx and 0.01g/bhp-hr PM.
The Westport ISX G engine is available with 400 and 450 horsepower ratings and up to 1,750 lb-ft torque for heavy-duty port, freight and vocational applications; LNG fuel tanks can be configured to suit customer range requirements. LNG heavy-duty trucks are eligible for federal tax credits in the United States and may be eligible for other state-specific emissions credits.
