Cummins Westport Introduces New Natural Gas Engines for 2018

Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) announced its model year 2018 dedicated natural gas engines for regional haul truck / tractor, vocational and transit, school bus, and refuse applications at the Alternative Clean Transportation (ACT) Expo in Long Beach, California. The new lineup comes with a change in names, following Cummins tradition of using B, L, and X series letters, followed by engine displacement. The letter “N” denotes engines that are fueled by natural gas.

The new B6.7N, L9N, and ISX12N engines feature EPA and CARB optional low NOx certification, on-board diagnostics, closed crankcase ventilation systems, and performance and reliability improvements. The new ISX12N also features a redesigned fuel system with fewer parts and improved performance. Like the L9N that replaces the ISL G Near Zero, the 2018 ISX12N heavy duty natural gas engine will also be certified to EPA and CARB optional low NOx emissions standards of 0.02 g/bhp-hr.

CWI says the ISX12N and L9N will be the lowest certified NOx emission engines available in North America. NOx exhaust emissions are 90 percent lower than the current EPA NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr, and the engines also meet or exceed the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas emission requirements. CWI natural gas engines have met the 2010 EPA standard for particulate matter (0.01 g/bhp-hr) since 2001.

Cummins Westport engines utilize proprietary spark-ignited, stoichiometric combustion with cooled exhaust gas recirculation technology, and three-way catalyst aftertreatment (TWC).  The TWC is packaged as a muffler and is maintenance-free.  No diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment is required.

“Our 2018 product line demonstrates an important milestone in product development for Cummins Westport, creating a move to zero emissions strategy for our customers and industry,” said Rob Neitzke, President of Cummins Westport.  “We are particularly pleased that the ISX12N will join the L9N in offering our on-highway customers the benefits of performance and reliability at an ultra low emissions level described by California’s South Coast Air Quality Management District as equivalent to an electric vehicle.”

Partial funding in support of the ISX12N engine development has been received from South Coast Air Quality Management District, the California Energy Commission, Southern California Gas and Clean Energy.

The ISX12N will be manufactured in Cummins’ heavy-duty engine plant in Jamestown, New York. The L9N and the B6.7N are manufactured in Cummins midrange engine plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.