Freightliner Custom Chassis mainstreams CNG alternative-fuel technology for walk-in van
GAFFNEY, S.C. — Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) is offering a compressed natural gas- (CNG) powered chassis for the walk-in van marketplace. Officials say the CNG chassis complements the existing hybrid chassis that FCCC offers.
“We are one of the few chassis manufacturers in the world that can deliver a chassis that reduces dependence on petroleum-based fuel and can still fulfill our demanding performance and reliability expectations,” says Joe Snyder, FCCC product manager for commercial vehicles.
FCCC builds both MT-45 and MT-55 CNG-powered chassis, and they carry the same payload of FCCC’s diesel-powered versions (10,000 to 19,000 lb.) with the same GVWR range of 14,140 to 30,000 lb.
The featured engine series in both the MT-45 and MT-55 CNG-powered chassis is the 5.9-litre, six-cylinder Cummins B Gas Plus that produces 195 to 230 horsepower with a torque range of 420 to 500 lb.-ft. The Cummins B Gas Plus engines already meet EPA emissions standards for 2010, officials say.
“Our FCCC-manufactured CNG chassis provides the same excellent productivity, performance, durability and reliability as our premium diesel-powered chassis,” says Snyder. “You get the best of both worlds from FCCC-the leading diesel-powered walk-in van chassis in the US, or the same FCCC premium chassis powered by the clean-Cummins CNG B Gas Plus engine.”
The CNG’s fuel system is also state-of-the-art, according to the company. “Our CNG fuel system includes all stainless-steel fuel and vent lines, with Dynetek seamless aluminum fuel cylinders, covered with a carbon-fiber shell,” adds Snyder, “providing high-capacity, lightweight cylinders to the market. This fuel system is a true industry leader when it comes to corrosion resistance and strength.”
In early 2008, UPS will deploy 167 new FCCC CNG-powered walk-in vans in California, Texas and Georgia-specifically in Los Angeles, Fresno, Ontario (Calif.), San Ramon (Calif.), Dallas and Atlanta. They will appear the same as all other UPS FCCC diesel-powered walk-in vans except for a specific label that identifies them as CNG-powered.
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