Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) has now secured U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) emissions certifications for all three models in its new 2018 natural gas engine lineup after receiving approval for its 2018 ISX12N heavy-duty engine.
The manufacturer previously announced certifications from the two agencies for its 2018 L9N and B6.7N medium-duty engines in mid-December – a milestone trade group NGVAmerica praised, saying the approvals “confirm that natural gas is among the cleanest commercially-available transportation options.” CWI first unveiled the 2018 product line at the 2017 Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in California.
Like the L9N engine, the ISX12N meets CARB optional Low NOx standard of 0.02 g/bhp-hr – a 90% reduction from engines operating at the current EPA NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr, according to CWI. The ISX12N also meets 2017 EPA greenhouse-gas emission (GHG) requirements.
CWI says it is proud to continue its legacy of emissions-leading products with all 2018 engines now certified to CARB optional Low NOx standards. According to the company, the ISX12N is the first Class 8 truck engine for larger heavy-duty vehicles to certify to the 0.02 g/bhp-hr optional standard, providing the trucking industry with a near-zero emissions solution today.
Based on the ISX12 G, first introduced in 2013, the ISX12N natural gas engine will be available with ratings from 320 hp to 400 hp and up to 1,450 lb-ft. of peak torque. The ISX12N is designed for line haul, regional haul, refuse, and vocational trucks, as well as motorcoach and commuter buses. Like its new L9N and B6.7N engines, the company says the ISX12N will feature a new engine control module with improved durability; on-board diagnostics; an enhanced, maintenance-free three-way catalyst; and a closed crankcase ventilation system.
“Cummins Westport’s 2018 product line offers customers ultra low emissions with reliable performance,” says Bart van Aerle, president of CWI. “The ISX12N near-zero emissions natural gas engine provides truck and bus customers with an industry-leading alternative fuel option for demanding applications.”
The company notes it would like to acknowledge engine development funding support from the South Coast Air Quality Management District, utility SoCalGas, the California Energy Commission, and Clean Energy Fuels.
All CWI engines offer customers the choice of using compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), or renewable natural gas (RNG) as a fuel. As the company explains, RNG is pipeline-quality natural gas produced from the decomposition of organic waste, which can come from a variety of sources such as dairy farms, landfills, and urban waste treatment plants. CWI says that combining its ultra-low-emission engines with RNG fuel provides additional and significant GHG reductions.
CWI previously reported that production on all three 2018 engines will begin in the first quarter of this year, and in its new announcement, the company suggests it will at least start on the ISX12N in February. More information on the 2018 product line is available here.
