Optimus Technologies says it has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its biofuel system conversions for medium- and heavy-duty trucks that use Navistar model-year 2004-2006 DT466 engines.
Optimus says the EPA-approved technology is based on a combination of the company's bi-fuel (diesel or biofuel) conversion system – which is a bolt-on hardware/software platform for existing diesel engines – and pure biofuel. The fuels tested in concert with the system were derived from a variety of bio-sources, including non-food-grade corn oil, recycled cooking oil and pure biodiesel (B100).
‘We're very excited that the EPA has approved our technology,’ says company CEO Colin Huwyler. ‘Our solution represents a tangible opportunity for fleets to shrink their operating costs while improving the environment.’
Emissions tests conducted for Optimus' approval were performed and validated this spring by the West Virginia University Center for Alternative Fuels, Engines and Emissions. The results showed a ‘significant overall reduction in tailpipe emissions in comparison to diesel,’ the company says.
Field trials and certification tests on other engine families are currently underway, according to Optimus.
