Navistar Inc. today, Feb. 9, announced that it has signed a concept development agreement with Clean Air Power Ltd. to develop Navistar’s MaxxForce 13 big bore engine to run on natural gas and clean diesel fuel for the North American market.
“This agreement supports Navistar’s strategy of product leadership, offering our customers differentiated products merging the unique skills of Clean Air Power in natural gas combustion and the knowledge Navistar has in diesel combustion,” says Jack Allen, president of Navistar’s North American Truck Group. “The volatility of global diesel fuel prices and the significant natural gas reserves available in the United States make natural gas an attractive option for customers focused on managing their fuel costs.”
The program will utilize Clean Air Power’s Dual-Fuel combustion technology to deliver a MaxxForce 13 advanced exhaust gas recirculation engine that is fully compliant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 on-highway diesel emissions. Upon successful concept development, the two companies will move forward to product development and validation.
“As we assess changing market conditions, the ability to offer customers choice is important, not only in our U.S. markets, but in our global markets as well,” says Eric Tech, Navistar Engine Group president. “As we develop this product for our International brand truck customers, we will also be able to leverage the technology in other markets and products as appropriate.”
MaxxForce 13 natural gas engines utilizing Clean Air Power’s Dual-Fuel combustion technology initially will target the regional-haul tractor market with a goal of a achieving a 400-mile range.
“We are very pleased to work with Navistar to advance the Dual-Fuel product development of Navistar’s MaxxForce 13 to deliver clean fuel technology consistent with Navistar’s customer-focused strategy,” says John Pettitt, chief executive officer of Clean Air Power.
