VANCOUVER, (April 3, 2003) — Westport Innovations, a Canadian developer of gaseous fuel technologies based on the diesel engine platform, has been awarded a strategic project investment of $18.9 million from Technology Partnerships Canada (TPC) to support the development of high-performance low-emissions engines.

Natural Resources Minister Herb Dhaliwal announced the investment, which is conditionally repayable beginning in fiscal 2007, on behalf of Industry Canada. The TPC funds will contribute to approximately one-third of the research and development costs of Westport’s vehicle programs over the next several years.

The patented Westport-Cycle technology allows a new diesel engine to operate on a gaseous fuel, such as natural gas or hydrogen, while retaining the power and fuel efficiency of diesel. Operating with Westport-Cycle technology, a natural gas-powered, heavy-duty truck typically produces 60 per cent less particulate matter and 40 per cent less oxides of nitrogen, the company says.