Author: Vitaliy Dadalyan

Kenworth Shows Hydrogen Fuel Cell T680 at CES

Kenworth's Hydrogen Fuel Cell T680 day cab at the Port of Seattle. Photo: Kenworth

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Kenworth showed a zero-emissions T680 day cab equipped with a hydrogen fuel cell as part of its Paccar Innovations booth at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

This is the first time Paccar and Kenworth have exhibited at CES, an electronics industry trade show with an eye on future technologies and innovations that draws in close to 200,000 visitors. Kenworth's zero-emissions project was announced in May 2017 and is part of the Zero Emission Cargo Transport demonstration project managed through Southern California's South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The Kenworth T680 day cab's fuel cell combines compressed hydrogen gas and air to produce electricity with only water vapor emitted at the tailpipe. This electricity can power the dual-rotor electric motor to move the truck, or it can recharge the lithium-ion batteries for use later. The hybrid drive system manages the power from the fuel cell to and from the batteries, as well as the traction motors and other components, such as the electrified power steering and brake air compressor.

“Kenworth's hydrogen fuel-cell T680 is a reality,” said Stephan Olsen, Kenworth director of product planning. “The T680 has been running trials in the Seattle area and performing very well. The next step is real-world testing with Total Transportation Services Inc. at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in Southern California.”

The truck will intitially have a range of 150 miles and is designed for short haul and port operations. The truck's electric motor can output 565 horsepower and is capable of carrying Class 8 loads.

“Our testing shows that this truck performs equally as well, if not better than, current diesel trucks on the market,” said Olsen. “There is a lot of promise, and we see the day ...Read the rest of this story

EPA, CARB Certify Cummins Westport ISX12N Natural Gas Engine

ISX12N Natural Gas Engine Photo: Cummins Westport

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Cummins Westport announced that the Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board have certified the 2018 ISX12N natural gas engine.

The ISX12N was certified to meet CARB's 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 requirements.

Based on the ISX12 G, first introduced in 2013, the ISX12N natural gas engine will be available with ratings from 320 to 400 horsepower 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 Cummins Westport's new L9N and B6.7N engines, 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, according to the company.

All CWI engines offer customers the choice of using compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas, or renewable natural gas as a fuel. 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. Combining Cummins Westport's ultra-low emission engines with RNG fuel provides additional GHG reductions, according to CWI.

“Cummins Westport's 2018 product line offers customers ultra low emissions with reliable performance,” said Bart van Aerle, president of Cummins Westport. “The ISX12N near-zero emissions natural gas engine provides truck and bus customers with an industry-leading alternative fuel option for demanding applications.”

Production will begin in February of 2018.

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