Cummins Westport joins federal engine project

Canada-based natural gas engine maker Cummins Westport has joined a project headed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop a new low-emissions natural gas engine for transit and urban truck markets. As part of the deal, Cummins Westport said it will receive $592,000 in grant funding to offset the costs for developing an 8.9-liter L Gas Plus natural gas engine.

Scheduled for release in mid-‘04, the company said this spark-ignited 320-horsepower engine would be added to Cummins Westport's line of alternative fuel engines for truck and bus applications.

The L Gas Plus is expected to be certified at 1.2 grams of oxides of nitrogen (NOx) per brake-horsepower hour (g/bhp-hr). This represents a NOx reduction of more than 40% compared to similar clean diesel engines certified to date. The powerplant is also expected to emit 90% less particulate matter than the impending 2004 levels established by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for medium-duty trucks.