Cummins Inc. was the first engine manufacturer to apply for certification for 2002 emissions engines, and hopes to receive that certification from the Environmental Protection Agency by the end of the month.

With the opening of the Mid-America Trucking Show this week, Cummins was expected to have certification back from EPA for its ISX engine. As of Tuesday, however, it had not yet come through. The company is totally confident it will be the first engine to be certified for heavy-duty applications, and they're ready to start production, according Joe Loughery, president of Cummins' engine business.
A recent letter from the EPA informed Cummins that based on the review of the information it had received from the company, "it is our current belief that Cummins' ISX engine meets all applicable standards and requirements. We expect we will conclude final evaluation … and a certification could be issued to Cummins no later than March 29."
The ISX engine will succeed the N14. The N14, Cummins' primarily heavy duty engine for 25 years, will not be certified past October 1. The ISX initially will be marketed at four horsepower ratings, with 565 horsepower the highest.