Kenworth announced Wednesday, April 29, that its T800 Liquefied Natural Gas trucks now are available for factory order and production. The truck maker says the T800 LNG truck offers outstanding performance and efficiency for heavy-duty port, freight and vocational applications.
According to Kenworth, the vehicle is equipped with the Westport Innovations LNG fuel system and Westport GX 15-liter engine, which provides up to 450 hp and 1,650 lb-ft of torque and meets U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emissions certification standards. The Westport GX engine is based on the Cummins ISX 15-liter engine.
“Customers who purchase Kenworth T800 LNG trucks make a strong commitment toward a better environment, and can also benefit from fuel cost savings, tax credits, state air quality grants and lower regulatory fees,” says Andy Douglas, national sales manager of specialty markets for the Kirkland, Wash.-based truck maker.
A typical Class 8 truck using the cleaner-burning LNG fuel may reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) and greenhouse gas emissions by up to an estimated 33 percent and 20 percent, respectively, compared to a diesel-fueled truck, Kenworth says; LNG fuel also may cost from 50 cents to $1 per gallon less than the equivalent diesel fuel.
The T800 LNG truck, which Kenworth says offers an operating range of at least 300 to 500 miles, has a large dash-mounted display to monitor the LNG fuel level; LNG fuel tanks can be configured to suit a range of customer requirements. The vehicle is available with a day cab, extended day cab or 38-inch AeroCab sleeper.
Kenworth says T800 LNG trucks may qualify for up to $28,800 in Internal Revenue Service tax credits. Under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, these trucks also may qualify for Diesel Emissions Reduction Act grant money for those truck operators who purchase new T800 LNG vehicles, then permanently remove an equal number of aged existing diesel-fueled trucks from the marketplace in exchange, according to the truck maker; the trucks also may be eligible for state or provincial emissions credits.
