Wal-Mart to Take Delivery of 4 LNG-Fueled Trucks

Westport Innovations said Tuesday that Wal-Mart Stores will introduce four liquefied natural gas-fueled Peterbilt 386 trucks at its distribution center in Apple Valley, Calif.

Westport, which makes gaseous-fuelled power technologies, said the deployment will be supported in part by funding from the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.

Wal-Mart, which operates one of the nation’s largest private fleets with more than 7,000 trucks, announced its “Sustainability 360” program last year, promoting sustainability throughout its business.  

The trucks will use engines made by Cummins Inc., based on the Cummins ISX diesel engine with cooled exhaust gas recirculation technology. The LNG version of the engine offers the same horsepower, torque, and efficiency as the base diesel engine rating it is replacing, the companies said.

“Westport’s LNG fuel system can help Wal-Mart reduce their fleet vehicles’ greenhouse gas emissions by some 20% and [nitrogen oxide] emissions by between 30% and 50% over their diesel equivalents,” said Michael Gallagher, Westport’s president.

Wal-Mart is ranked No. 2 on the Transport Topics Private 100 listing of North American private fleets.