Omnitek Engineering to Develop Off-Road Natural Gas Engine

Omnitek Engineering announced the company will participate in a $1.5 million grant study with its partner Olson-Ecologic Testing Laboratories, based in Fullerton, California, to demonstrate its clean natural gas engine technology for off-road heavy duty construction vehicle applications in the greater Los Angeles area.

Omnitek Engineering will develop an 18L Caterpillar natural gas engine capable of operating on CNG, LNG and RNG by utilizing its patented diesel-to-natural gas engine conversion technology.  Olson-Ecologic Engine Testing Laboratories will serve as project manager and be responsible for testing at its facility prior to demonstrations under real-life conditions.

“Construction equipment is the largest category of off-road emissions in the South Coast Air Basin, accounting for about one third of the off-road NOx and PM 2.5 emissions, according information provided by the California Air Resources Board (CARB),” said Werner Funk, president and chief executive officer of Omnitek Engineering. “Our goal is to demonstrate the cost-effective alternatives to reduce carbon emissions, improve air quality, and facilitate fleet compliance requirements by introducing advanced technology natural gas engines to the traditionally diesel powered off-road construction industry.”

Omnitek anticipates that a successful demonstration will be supportive of California’s AB 32, AB 118, SB 1250, the Integrated Energy Policy Report and the Natural Gas Vehicle Research Roadmap.