PORTLAND, Ore. — Freightliner has made its first foray into the natural gas-powered truck market with a new Business Class M2 112 NG.

The truck’s best suited for port operations, natural gas utilities and municipalities, the truck maker announced. It’s powered by the Cummins Westport ISL G liquefied natural gas engine. Freightliner estimates the truck can reduce yearly fuel costs by about US$6,000.

“The M2 112 is a versatile and hard-working truck, and adding a natural gas option only enhances its efficiency,” said Melissa Clausen, director of product marketing for Freightliner Trucks. “As part of Daimler Truck’s Shaping Future Transportation initiative, we will continue to provide reliable trucks with both economic and environmental benefits.”

The 8.9-litre ISL G engine is available with up to 320 hp and is already EPA2010-compliant with no need for exhaust aftertreatment.

“Natural gas technology has come a long way. Buses have been using it for years, but the next generation natural gas powertrains have more power because less air is needed for combustion,” said Clausen. “The technology simply burns cleaner.”

Later this year, Freightliner said it will come out with a compressed natural gas (CNG) version of the same truck, followed by a CNG-powered single axle tractor, 4×2 and 6×2 truck and vocational configurations.