Sales of '02 engines picking up Several truck and diesel engine manufacturers report that sales of low-emission engines that comply with strict new regulations that went into effect last year are steadily climbing.
Columbus, IN-based engine maker Cummins Inc. said that it has recorded orders for more than 12,000 of its EPA '02-compliant engines. Volvo Trucks North America has also reported increasing sales of Class 8 tractors equipped with either its emission-compliant VED12 engine or Cummins' low-emission ISX model.
Cummins said that more than 4,200 EPA '02-complient engines are already in service, accumulating a total of 37 million road miles. Cummins said many large fleets have committed to buy its low-emission engines, such as Salt Lake City-based refrigerated carrier C.R. England, and Indianapolis-based truckload conglomerate Celadon Group.
Several truckload and LTL carriers have placed large orders with Volvo for VN tractors equipped with '02 engines.
Overland Park, KS-based LTL carrier Yellow Transportation has ordered 154 trucks, Phoenix-based truckload operator Swift Transportation has ordered 50 units, and Chattanooga, TN-based U.S. Xpress Enterprises has ordered 50 VN tractors with the new engines.
Also, private carrier Tyson Food has ordered 227 VN tractors with '02 engines, and Phoenix-based truckload operator Knight Transportation planning to buy 3,000 VN units through 2006 equipped with low-emission engines.