Gas trucks taking Kenworth forward - Australasian Paint & Panel

Kenworth trucks and Westport Innovations Inc are facing up to their environmental responsibilities by jointly developing and commercialising liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled trucks for the Australian market.

Kenworth has decided to take the lead role in developing the first OEM solution for the design, manufacture and sales of LNG powered trucks.

The company said the commercial introduction of LNG to this market makes sense 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.

Production at Kenworth’s Bayswater factory in Victoria will commence in the second quarter of this year beginning with the T908, K108 and T408SAR models and rolled out across additional models into the future. Kenworth claims that there are no other heavy-duty manufacturers providing this technology in Australia.

“Australia’s unique operating conditions and need for high-power outputs are a good first for Westport’s HPDI technology and Kenworth’s leading truck models,” said Joe Rizzo, MD of PACCAR Australia, of which Kenworth is a division.

“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,” Rizzo said.

“With an abundant, low cost, domestic natural gas supply, Australia makes an excellent market for Westport’s high-performance heavy-duty LNG engines and fuel system,” added Michael Gallagher, president and CEO of Westport. “Our demonstrated greenhouse gas reductions of 20-25 per cent relative to diesel engines, 95 per cent 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 its commitment to the environment and economic concerns of its customers,” he said.