VANCOUVER — Westport Innovations has been awarded US$2.25 million in funding to build engines fit for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2010 emission standards.

The South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD), the California Energy Commission (CEC) and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are providing the funding jointly.

“Working with the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the California Energy Commission and the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, Westport is proud to be paving the way in helping our customers meet the highest emissions standards in the world today,” stated Michael Gallagher, president and COO of Westport.

The funding will support the development, demonstration, commercialization and certification of Westport’s heavy-duty LNG (liquefied natural gas) fuel system for the Cummins ISX to meet the EPA 2010 NOx emissions standard prior to 2010.

California stakeholders are backing Westport’s LNG system
with funding to ensure the 2010 version will meet
emission regulations.

Westport’s LNG system for heavy-duty trucks offers low greenhouse gas emissions than and allows trucking fleets to move to domestically available natural gas and/or biogas.

Based on the Cummins ISX diesel engine with cooled EGR, the LNG version of the engine offers the same horsepower, torque, and efficiency as the base diesel engine rating it is replacing. The Westport LNG system is currently certified by CARB and the U.S. EPA.

“In order to meet our clean air goals here in Southern California, we need to accelerate the deployment of clean-fueled heavy-duty vehicles. This investment in Westport’s clean vehicle technology is an important step in making this goal a reality,” said Barry Wallerstein, SCAQMD executive officer.