Westport gets CARB approval

Vancouver, Canada-based heavy-duty alternative fuel engine maker Westport Innovations said it’s received California Air Resources Board (CARB) certification for its High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) technology adapted to the Cummins ISX heavy-duty truck engine.

Westport said the executive order from CARB certifies the HPDI system to 1.2g/bhp-hr (NOx + NMHC) and 0.02g/bhp-hr Particulate Matter (PM).

“CARB certification represents the major milestone required for us to make the heavy duty Cummins ISX HPDI LNG (liquefied natural gas) engine and fuel system available to commercial fleets in California for deployment in 2006,” said Michael Gallagher, Westport’s president & COO.

He added that Westport’s HPDI system enables the Cummins ISX engine to operate on natural gas, with the ISX HPDI engine offered in two ratings – 400 hp with 1,450 lb.-ft. torque, or 450 hp with 1,650 lb.-ft. torque, matching the diesel-fueled base ISX engine. The ISX HPDI will be offered to selected truck purchasers with the appropriate Cummins 2004 to 2006 model year diesel ISX engines, he said.