Cummins says its new APUs meet CARB regulations

The Trucker News Services

3/27/2008

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Cummins Inc. has two new ComfortGuard APU solutions that are compliant with the California Air Resources Board’s 2008 idle reduction regulations, Cummins announced at the Mid-America Trucking Show here.

The CARB idle reduction mandate, which went into effect on Jan. 1, has stringent limitations on idling and requires that diesel-powered Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) have exhaust aftertreatment.

Cummins officials said the ComfortGuard will be available with two options to meet the new emissions criteria: a stand-alone particulate filter on the ComfortGuard APU or a Cummins engine installation kit to route the ComfortGuard diesel exhaust gas into the Cummins diesel particulate filter or DPF.

The integrated kit for the ISX engine has been approved by CARB and both options will be in production by the end of June.

“These new 2008 CARB-certified APUs will give drivers cost-effective options to idling when necessary with increased benefit to the environment,” said Shawn Wasson, Cummins’ APU business leader.

The ComfortGuard APUs feature a two-cylinder low-emissions diesel engine and either a regenerative DPF or the exhaust adapter kit for use with 2007 Cummins ISX engines. Equipped with a Cummins alternator, the APU produces 4,000 watts at 120 volts, 60 Hz AC, and has “exceptional voltage and frequency stability for sensitive appliances and electronic equipment,” the company stated. It also produces up to 40 amps at 12 volts DC for charging the truck’s batteries and power lights and fans.

Cummins officials said the ComfortGuard APU can pay for itself in 18 months or less.