Natural Gas Leads the Pack with the ‘Cleanest Engine’
Natural Gas Leads the Pack with the ‘Cleanest Engine’ Garnering Both U.S. EPA and CARB Certification to 2010 Emission Standards
Diamond Bar, CA, Aug. 13, 2007
Source: http://www.prnewswire.com/
The California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership(CNGVP) announced today that one of its most active industry members Cummins Westport Inc. received certification from both the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its ISL G heavy-duty natural gas engine. The certification from these two agencies is noteworthy as it designates this engine as meeting 2010 standards of 0.2g/bhp-hr oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and 0.01 g/bhp-hr particulate matter (PM). The emission standards set for 2010 are significantly more stringent than those set in years past due to the need to address the reduction of harmful emissions from heavy-duty vehicles which contribute to greenhouse gases and other pollutants.
As the first heavy duty engine for urban bus applications to be certified to the 2010 U.S. EPA and 2010 CARB standards, Cummins Westport Inc. can now claim the title “World’s Cleanest Heavy Duty Engine,” a long sought after and highly anticipated feat. Gordon Exel, Vice President America Sales of Cummins Westport, touts that “with improved low end torque and maintenance-free after-treatment, the ISL G will deliver diesel-like performance and reliability and the opportunity for customers to take advantage of the lower cost of natural gas.” With California’s existing infrastructure of natural gas fuelling stations combined with regulations for fleets to use the cleanest vehicles available, the switch from diesel to natural gas heavy-duty vehicles is an obvious choice.
In addition to the support received from the CNGVP, Cummins Westport received assistance from the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD), the agency responsible for regulating emissions from heavy-duty vehicles in one of the most heavily trafficked regions of California. “Alternative fuel engines lead the way in clean engine technology and we encourage engine manufacturers to strive beyond required engine standards when developing zero emission technologies,” said Chairman Dr. William Burke of the AQMD. “This achievement continues to support the South Coast region’s commitment to alternative fuels as one of the cleanest technologies available.”
About the CNGVP
The CNGVP is an alliance of air quality, transportation and energy agencies, vehicle and engine manufacturers, fuel providers, transit and refuse hauler associations, and other stakeholders interested in increasing and strengthening the deployment of low-emission natural gas vehicles throughout California. Through the CNGVP’s efforts in California, the organization has helped to deliver the promise of clean transportation by promoting the research and development, demonstration and deployment, accessibility and commercializing, and legislative support for natural gas vehicles. The success of these efforts in California has served as a model for low-emission, alternative fuel initiatives in other states across the country and around the globe. The CNGVP may be found online at http://www.cngvp.org.