TORONTO, Ont. — The air above the Hwy. 401 corridor between Toronto and Windsor may be a little bit clearer this summer, thanks to a fleet of natural gas-powered trucks.

Cummins Westport has equipped 10 heavy-duty trucks with its natural gas-powered Cummins ISX G engine, and those trucks will be used by Challenger Motor Freight and Bruce R. Smith Ltd. on runs between Toronto and Windsor. It’s being called the Clean Air Corridor project, and is partially funded by Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and National Resources Canada.

Funding will go towards measuring the performance and emissions of the engines using the proprietary technology. This will mark the first time the engine has been used in a real-life work environment, however, Westport has been testing the engine in B.C. for well over a year.

“SDTC’s mandate is to look for solutions to reduce not only greenhouse gases, but harmful criteria air contaminants,” said SDTC president Vicky Sharpe. “Westport technology reduces emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and carbon dioxide emissions. It is a home-grown solution that is ready to make a difference in the transportation sector.”

Officials in Ottawa are pleased with the project they hope will pave the way for the future use of low-emission engines and alternative fuels.

“This project is an excellent example of the growing commitment of Canada’s transportation sector to our national climate change and clean air goals. A successful demonstration of this innovative engine technology has the potential to make a significant, long-term contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the commercial trucking industry,” said federal Environment Minister, David Anderson.

Westport says its 450-horsepower ISX G engine boasts the same power, torque and fuel efficiency of a regular diesel engine while lowering emissions of particulate matter, oxides of nitrogen and greenhouse gases.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our 450-horsepower ISX G engine along Canada’s busiest thoroughfare, where the biggest emissions gains can be made,” said Hugh Foden, President of Cummins Westport. “As the highest performance and most efficient alternative-fuelled engine developed today, the ISX G will make a compelling case for other fleet operators hauling goods along the 401 corridor. This Clean Air Corridor project is the model Cummins Westport plans to employ to expand the use of LNG-powered heavy-duty trucks in urban centres in Canada and the US.”