The test vehicle, a 2003 DT530 8.6-liter, 275 hp. International, runs on compressed natural gas or diesel fuel, operating with a fuel savings of 25-35%, APG said. The system works by “seamlessly displaying 40-70% of the normal diesel fuel consumption with CNG, LNG, or bio-methane.”
According to APG, the system is non-invasive to the OEM’s engine and operates within all OEM “performance controls” and can return to 100% diesel operation at any time. The introduction of natural gas does not impact the diesel engine, its components, or torque, APG said.
“We are pleased to initiate test trials with Casella Waste Systems, Inc., the 10th largest solid waste company in the United States according to Waste Age magazine’s 2010 Waste Age 100,” said Lyle Jensen, GreenMan’s president & CEO. “We believe the aftermarket refuse industry will be a large addressed market for effective diesel fuel and diesel emission reduction technologies and this testing is a vital step in APG’s move towards commercializing our dual fuel technology.”
Dual-fuel vehicles, everything from pickups to forklifts, are on the roads in many countries. This test vehicle could be the beginning of a bigger trend in trucking if successful.
“We recognize that our industry is evolving towards a model that rewards an approach to resource renewal and sustainability,” said John W. Casella, chairman & CEO of Casella Waste Systems. “This includes, for us, developing a ‘greener’ fleet as we work towards reducing our diesel emissions ten percent by 2013. To get there, we are using innovation to rethink every aspect of our business and we look forward to working with American Power Group to test and determine the utilization of their alternative fuel technology in the Casella fleet network.”
