VOCATIONAL fleets are prime candidates for natural gas fueled trucks and tractors, and Peterbilt Motors Company believes it has the right product for them. The truck builder currently offers two heavy-duty truck models with natural gas engines.
The Model 365 and Model 384 will be offered with the Cummins Westport ISL G engine and built at Peterbilt's truck manufacturing facility in Denton, Texas. The natural gas powered trucks are available for order now.
“Our Models 365 and 384 are examples of our commitment to deliver products that will reduce harmful emissions and provide the performance and overall value our customers need,” says Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager and PACCAR vice — president. “These two NG-powered platforms join Peterbilt's three medium-duty hybrid electric vehicles currently in production to offer the widest range of environmentally friendly options to our customers.”
The Peterbilt Model 365 NG offers improved ride and handling, enhanced weight distribution as well as maximized performance and profitability without sacrificing overall efficiency. The Model 365 NG is equipped with the powerful ISL G a 320-horsepower rating and 1,000 lb-ft of torque. The Model 365 has a 115-inch BBC and is available in both set-forward and set-back axle configurations.
The Pete Model 384 combines the 320-hp ISL G engine with a fuel-efficient aerodynamic platform to meet the needs of a wide variety of customer applications including bulk and tanker hauling. It is an ideal combination for regional operations, according to Peterbilt officials.
The ISL G natural gas engine for heavy-duty Class 8 trucks allows trucking fleets to switch to lower-cost, domestically available natural gas and/or biogas while offering industry-leading emissions, including lower greenhouse gas emissions, than comparable diesel engines.
Based on the Cummins ISL diesel engine with cooled EGR, the NG version integrates robust diesel components into an engine specifically designed for alternative fuels and offers similar horsepower, torque, and efficiency as the base diesel engine it was built around. The engine is certified to the toughest global emissions standards and meets Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board (CARB) 2010 emissions standards today.
The Cummins Westport ISL G engine can be fuelled by either compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) — both are cost-effective, low-carbon, and low-emissions fuels. The engine offers the power and torque needed for heavy-duty port, freight, and vocational applications. CNG or LNG fuel tanks can be configured to suit customer applications and range requirements.
NG heavy-duty trucks are eligible for federal tax credits in the United States and may be eligible for other state-specific emissions credits.