NYC, Mack Trucks testing DME-powered Pinnacle

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Updated Jan 18, 2017

Dsny Is The First Mack Customer To Evaluate Dme, A Non Toxic, Clean Burning Alternative FuelMack Trucks on Thursday began a collaboration with the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) and Oberon Fuels that will test the performance of a Dimethyl Ether (DME)-powered Mack Pinnacle.

DSNY is the first Mack customer to evaluate DME, a non-toxic, clean-burning alternative fuel.

Mack Trucks President Dennis Slagle says the company will use the demonstration to gather data with DSNY and Oberon to better determine the performance and drivability of the DME-powered truck.

“We believe DME shows great promise,” he says, “and we are pleased to be working with our longtime customer DSNY to evaluate the fuel as a viable alternative to diesel.”

DME delivers the same performance and energy efficiency as diesel fuel but generates no soot. The fuel offers many benefits, including that it can be made from multiple sustainable feedstocks, such as food waste, animal waste, grass clippings and natural gas. DME does not require cryogenic temperatures or high tank pressures.

The Mack Pinnacle Axle Back model is equipped with a Mack MP 8 13-liter engine and the Mack mDRIVE automated manual transmission.

The DSNY evaluation will take place at the Freshkills Landfill, located on Staten Island and will last several weeks. Results are expected to be available mid-2017.

New York City recently announced a vision to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 80 percent in 2050 compared with 2005. In order to achieve this goal, the city must reduce 43 million metric tons of GHG emissions. When produced from organic waste, DME can reduce GHG emissions.

DSNY Deputy Commissioner Rocco DiRico says the New York City Department of Sanitation is working to reduce its environmental footprint, adding that DME could be one solution to help achieve their goal.

“This first-ever customer demonstration of a DME Mack truck is an excellent opportunity to showcase the potential of DME in real-world use cases,” adds Rebecca Boudreaux, Ph.D., president of Oberon Fuels. “We commend the New York City Department of Sanitation and Mack Trucks for their leadership in this program, which we believe will advance the testing and adoption of the zero-soot, low carbon, emissions-reducing DME fuel to help cities around the world become more sustainable.”