Cummins Westport says the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has certified the highly anticipated ISX12 G natural gas engine, covering the new product under 2013 EPA regs, as well as coming guidelines governing fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. The engine is already certified by the California Air Resources Board.
Also this week, Peterbilt confirmed that the ISX12 G will be available in its trucks, joining fellow PACCAR company Kenworth, which said last year that the 11.9-liter engine would make its way into some of its models. Freightliner is also offering the engine this year.
The ISX12 G can operate on compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG), joined with Cummins Westport's spark-ignited, stoichiometric combustion platform. It does not require a diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction system – rather, the engine employs cooled exhaust gas recirculation (SEGR) technology.
Small-scale production of the ISX12 G – which will be offered in configurations up to 400 hp/1,450 lb-ft torque – will start next month, and full production is scheduled to follow in August.
