Freightliner Trucks announced that its Freightliner Cascadia natural-gas-powered tractors will be available with a 48-inch sleeper cab. The natural-gas-powered Cascadia will also be available with factory-installed compressed natural gas and liquefied natural gas tanks.

Equipped with the new Cummins Westport ISX12 G heavy-duty natural gas engine (with ratings up to 400 horsepower and 1,450 pounds-feet of torque), the Cascadia natural gas tractor will feature a variety of fuel tank configurations, up to 190 diesel gallon equivalent capacity for CNG, and up to 300 gallon (140 DGE) capacity LNG, with an anticipated fill-range of more than 800 miles.

Having factory-installed fuel tanks gives customers the advantage of having a fully turn-key factory-built natural gas truck solution, with the Freightliner Trucks factory warranty.

In 2012, Freightliner Trucks embarked on a heavy-duty CNG cross country tour, taking a Cascadia day cab from Long Beach, Calif., to Washington, DC. The tour demonstrated the ability to drive significant distances in a heavy-duty, CNG-powered truck.

The Cascadia natural gas tractor has a spacious and comfortable cab with ergonomic features that accommodate drivers of every size. And, starting spring 2013, the Cascadia CNG day cab offers the latest aerodynamic features - designed to enhance overall efficiency - similar to those found on the revolutionary Cascadia Evolution.

Pre-series production on the Cascadia CNG sleeper will start Q4 2013, with full production launching in Q1 2014. Factory-installed tanks will be available on the Cascadia 113-inch BBC CNG tractor in Q1 2014.