Omnitek Engineering Corporation (OTCBB:OMTK) has entered into an agreement with one of the nation's leading refuse collection companies to convert 21 diesel-powered refuse collection trucks to operate on compressed natural gas under an Experimental Permit issued by the California Air Resources Board to validate the durability of components and collect performance and emissions data. Terms were not disclosed.
The Experimental Permit pilot program is intended to provide empirical data and accelerate certification by the California Air Resources Board and the Environmental Protection Agency.
"Converting diesel engines to operate on natural gas offers a significant return on investment, with much lower fuel costs and cleaner combustion. Conversions under this program have already commenced and we look forward to certification and working with this industry leader in refuse collection to ramp up conversions on a much larger scale," said Werner Funk, president and chief executive officer of Omnitek Engineering.
Funk noted this customer's nationwide commitment to convert all of its more than 18,000 refuse collection trucks to operate on natural gas through a multi-year program comprised of diesel engine conversions and the purchase of new natural gas trucks.
"The value proposition of Omnitek's conversion technology is particularly appealing to fleet operators since diesel engines have an estimated life span of more than 20 years, and conversions can be completed during regularly scheduled engine overhauls at a cost significantly less than the purchase of new natural gas trucks," Funk said.