Cummins to develop new low-emissions natural gas engine

Cummins Westport Inc. today announced its partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) in an agreement that will provide $592,000 in cost-sharing to advance development of a new low-emissions natural gas engine for transit and urban truck markets. The cost-sharing agreement will provide funding to offset costs for developing the 8.9-litre L Gas Plus natural gas engine. Scheduled for release in mid-2004, this spark-ignited 320 horsepower engine will be added to Cummins Westport's line of alternative fuel engines for truck and bus applications. This includes the 8.3-liter, 250-280 horsepower C Gas Plus natural gas engine, the 5.9-liter, 195-230 horsepower B Gas Plus natural gas engine, and the newly launched 195 horsepower B LPG Plus propane engine.Hugh Foden, President of Cummins Westport, said, "There is growing need from transit customers for a higher output, low-emissions engine."Foden singled out transit agencies that operate large 60-foot articulated buses or that have transit routes where extra performance is required as key customers for the L Gas Plus. "With this new spark-ignited engine, Cummins Westport offers the widest range of natural gas engines in the market, which means greater choice and availability for our customers," said Foden. The L Gas Plus is expected to be certified at 1.2 grams of oxides of nitrogen per brake-horsepower hour. This represents a reduction of more than 40% over the best equivalent clean diesel engines certified to date. It is also expected to emit 90% less particulate matter than the coming 2004 ceilings established by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).