Kenworth announces it will take the lead role in developing LNG-fuelled trucks for the Australian market
Kenworth is looking to the future, and beyond the current financial crisis, with the announcement it will take the lead role in developing liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled trucks for the Australian market.
The work will be done in partnership with US company Westport Innovations and offers a number of benefits, including commercially, economically and environmentally, by utilising an abundant domestic natural gas resource, reducing Australia’s reliance on imported diesel, and significantly reducing greenhouse gas and particulate matter (PM) emissions, says PACCAR Australia head Joe Rizzo.
Production at Kenworth’s Bayswater factory in Victoria will commence in the second quarter of 2009, beginning with the T908, K108 and T408SAR and rolled out across additional models into the future.
“Australia’s unique operating conditions and need for high-power outputs are a good fit for Westport’s HPDI technology and Kenworth’s leading truck models,” says Rizzo.
“Our customers have been seeking economic greenhouse gas reductions that work productively in their operations, and Kenworth is proud to be able to offer that combination in a factory-built product in Australia.”
Michael Gallagher, CEO of Westport, says Australia’s abundant natural gas reserves makes it a good market for the company’s high-performance heavy-duty LNG engine and fuel system.
“Our demonstrated greenhouse gas reductions of 20-25 percent relative to diesel engines, 95
percent diesel substitution levels, and power output up to 580 horsepower are clear advantages of Westport technology. PACCAR’s leadership in providing factory-built LNG Kenworth trucks shows their commitment to the environment and the economic concerns of their customers,” says Gallagher.
The Westport high-pressure direct injection (HPDI) engine is based on the Cummins ISX diesel engine with cooled EGR. Westport’s direct-injection LNG version of the engine is fuelled with vaporized LNG — a safe, cost-effective, low-carbon, and low-emissions fuel. The Westport LNG system is certified to the latest Australian Design Rules (ADR 80/02 and ADR 30/01) in ratings up to 580 horsepower and 1850 lb-ft torque.