VANCOUVER, B.C. — Cummins Westport is already setting the stage for the rollout of its natural gas engines in early 2004, with the announcement of several deliveries.

Norcal Waste Systems of San Francisco will be among the first companies to take delivery of about 40 ultra-low emission ISXG engines next year. Meanwhile, field trials are soon to begin for 10 ISMG Cummins Westport engines. Both engines are targeted toward heavy-duty truck users, while the ISMG can also be used in refuse collection truck, transit buses and highway coach applications.

“Based on our current field experience, we believe these engines will be very well received by our customers,” says Hugh Foden, president of Cummins Westport. “We have worked very hard to combine the world’s best emissions profile in this performance range with the reliability, durability and customer service features offered in the diesel-fueled version of these platforms.”

The natural gas Cummins Westport engines are aimed at delivering even lower emissions than the EGR engines being marketed by other major engine manufacturers. It will be ready for mass release in 2004.

“The alternative fuel industry has been waiting for just this product,” says David Demers, president and chief executive officer of Westport Innovations. “It has never been possible before now to offer a low emissions natural gas engine that incorporates the latest diesel engine technology and performance and is produced with the same state-of-the-art manufacturing and quality processes. With the Westport Cycle, heavy-duty fleet operators for the first time can have both high performance and the environmental benefits of an alternative fuel in the same engine.”

The new engine based on the ISX diesel platform will be offered in ratings ranging from 400- to 500-horsepower. Meanwhile the ISMG will be offered at ratings from 280- to 350-hp.