Freightliner Unveils New Gas-Powered Trucks

Freightliner Trucks and Cummins Westport Inc. said Thursday they plan to begin selling a new line of natural gas-powered trucks.

The company said it would offer the Business Class M2 112 model medium-duty truck in six configurations using liquefied or compressed natural gas.

The trucks will be powered by a Cummins Westport ISL G natural gas-driven engine, which the companies said already complies with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency standards set to go into effect in January.

Freightliner is the main subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America.

The first truck the companies will sell is an LNG tractor for port and regional haul applications, but they said at least four other natural gas trucks will be available this year, with the full line available for sale by the end of 2010.