Cummins Sees ‘SuperTruck’ Payoff by End of Decade
LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Independent engine maker Cummins Inc. said it is introducing its “SuperTruck” research done in conjunction with Paccar Inc. into commercial production between now and the end of this decade, with much of it expected in 2016 or 2017, when the federal government is scheduled to tighten its standards for truck engine fuel economy.
Cummins executives said at a Tuesday evening press event prior to the official start of this week’s Mid-America Trucking Show here that engine and truck research are part of a $78 million research grant from the U.S. Department of Energy with Paccar unit Peterbilt Motors Co.
Cummins Chief Technical Officer Stephen Charlton said major areas of research include friction reduction, waste-heat recovery, air handling and diesel particulate filter regeneration.
Phase one of the federal greenhouse-gas regulation starts January 2014, and part two begins three years later.
The company also said it anticipates selling “more than hundreds” of its new ISX12 G natural-gas engines made by the Cummins Westport joint venture with Westport Innovations. Limited production in Jamestown, N.Y., begins next month and full production in August, said Cummins Westport President Jim Arthurs.
Natural-gas engines were less than 1% of the North American heavy-duty market last year, Arthurs said, adding they should hit 3% to 4% this year and could rise fairly quickly to 8% to 10%, according to some economic forecasts.
Look for additional coverage in the March 25 edition of Transport Topics.
