Cummins Westport unveils 12-litre, heavy-duty NG engine; to make 15-litre engines in N.Y.

Partial funding in support of the ISX12 G engine development has been received from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the California Energy Commission in conjunction with the Gas Technology Institute.

The Trucker News Services

2/21/2012

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Cummins Westport Inc. yesterday unveiled its  ISX12 G, a 12-litre heavy-duty, factory-built dedicated natural gas engine for regional haul truck / tractor, vocational and refuse applications.  The new ISX12 G is currently in field trials with full production expected to commence in early 2013.

The ISX12 G natural gas engine is based on the Cummins ISX12 diesel engine platform, the newest member of Cummins heavy-duty engine family.  The ISX12 G will operate exclusively on natural gas (CNG or LNG) utilizing Cummins Westport's proprietary spark-ignited, stoichiometric combustion with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (SEGR)  technology, first introduced with the 8.9 litre ISL G.

The ISX12 G features three-way catalyst aftertreatment, which is packaged as a muffler and is maintenance free.  No diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment will be required.  Preliminary specifications include a range of ratings to 400 hp and 1,450 lb-ft torque, optional engine brake, and manual and automatic transmission capability to meet customer and original equipment manufacturer requirements.  The ISX12 G will be manufactured in Cummins' heavy-duty engine plant in Jamestown, New York.

"This is an important product development for Cummins Westport given the increasing demand for natural gas vehicles in the heavy-duty market," said Roe East, president of Cummins Westport.  "The ISX12 G will offer customers heavy-duty performance, reliability, and durability and a choice of either compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas as a fuel."

The ISX12 G target markets at launch are North American regional haul and vocational truck/tractor, and refuse applications, where demand for natural gas vehicles is growing.  Anticipated end-use applications in the regional haul market segment include intermodal and distribution operation, pickup and delivery.  Potential post-launch market opportunities include motor coach and specialty vocational applications.

The ISX12 G is expected to be certified at launch to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emission standards of 0.20 NOx and 0.01 PM.  The engine is additionally expected to be capable of meeting EURO VI and pending U.S. greenhouse gas and fuel economy regulations.

Partial funding in support of the ISX12 G engine development has been received from the U.S. Department of Energy's National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the California Energy Commission in conjunction with the Gas Technology Institute.

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Cummins Westport Inc. designs, engineers and markets spark-ignited natural gas engines for North American commercial transportation applications such as trucks and buses.  Cummins Westport is a joint venture of Cummins Inc., a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems, and Westport Innovations Inc., a global leader in alternative fuel, low-emissions technologies that allow engines to operate on clean-burning fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and biofuels such as landfill gas. www.cumminswestport.com.

Also yesterday Westport entered into a Supply Agreement with Cummins to allow manufacturing of the Westport HD 15 litre engine in a Cummins manufacturing facility in Jamestown, N. Y.

"The Supply Agreement helps accelerate our scalability and cost reduction at over 1500 units per year," said Clark Quintin, President of Westport HD. "At scale, Westport HD would be able to recognize the sale of the engine in addition to on- and off-engine components increasing revenue per system."

The Trucker staff can be reached to comment on this article at editor@thetrucker.com.

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