VANCOUVER — Alternative engine supplier Westport Innovations of Vancouver has entered a 30-year joint agreement with Weichai Power Co., China’s largest heavy-duty engine manufacturer, and Hong Kong Peterson (CNG) Equipment Limited.

The new entity, Weichai Westport Inc. will design, manufacture, and distribute advanced, alternative fuel engines and relevant parts and kits for use in automobiles, heavy duty trucks, power generation and shipping applications.

"We are working with the largest heavy duty engine manufacturer in China where over 450,000 heavy-duty trucks are introduced onto Chinese highways every year," said David Demers, CEO at Westport Innovations.

"Our High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) LNG fuel system technology provides a clean, low-emission solution to address a burgeoning market opportunity and the pressing need in China and Asia to reduce high emissions in major cities."

Weichai is said to have about 11 percent of the global heavy duty engine market share.

The rapid growth in China for energy, especially in the transport sector, is creating a strong demand for newer, cleaner fuels in China such as natural gas, says Westport.

According to The National Clean Vehicle Productivity Promotion in China, there are over 185,000 Natural Gas Vehicles (NGV) in China and the fueling infrastructure required to fuel these vehicles is growing quickly.

Adding to the scope of the joint venture, WWI will provide ancillary services including inventory, warehousing, training, applications engineering, sales promotion, technology consulting, installment, maintenance and after sale service.