Dig Deeper: Cummins X15N: The Right Engine at the Right Time?
Cummins X15N Natural-Gas Engine to be Offered in Kenworth, Peterbilt Trucks
Paccar plans to offer the new Cummins X15N natural gas engine in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks, allowing fleets to achieve lower carbon emissions for long-haul transport using internal combustion engine technology.

Cummins X15N natural gas engine offers more power at a lighter weight than Cummins' 12L natural gas engine.
Photo: Cummins
Paccar plans to offer the new Cummins X15N natural gas engine in Kenworth and Peterbilt trucks. The X15N is the first natural gas engine to be specifically designed for heavy-duty truck applications with up to 500 hp output, according to an announcement. The engine will include the integration of the Cummins Clean Fuel Technologies fuel delivery system.
Paccar, Cummins, and several customers, including FedEx Freight and Knight-Swift, will demonstrate the ability to achieve lower carbon emissions for long-haul transport using internal combustion engine technology.
When operating on renewable natural gas, also known as RNG or biomethane, the X15N engine will be able to achieve major reductions in the lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions of Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks. This can range from a 90% reduction to carbon neutral, or even carbon negative, depending on the bio-source and waste feedstock used to produce the fuel.
The new X15N is capable of lower NOx levels than the 2024 EPA and CARB standards. The 1,850 ft-lbs. of peak torque output provided by the X15N will provide optimum performance when paired with Eaton Cummins Automated Transmission Technologies HD and XD Transmission.
The X15N is currently in production and fleet service in China, and plans are to start building the engine in Jamestown, New York, starting in 2024.
“The X15N is essential to our commitment to help customers reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and to improve NOx,” said Srikanth Padmanabhan, president of Cummins Engine Business. “Importantly for the customer, the X15N will reduce the cost of adopting low-emissions technologies for their fleet, and gives them the confidence to do so.”
Watch: Meet Cummins' New Natural Gas Truck Engine
More Fuel Smarts

Record Diesel Prices Squeeze Trucking Fleets
Average U.S. diesel prices have climbed to nearly $6 a gallon, surpassing the 2022 record as tight refinery capacity and Middle East disruptions keep fuel costs elevated.
Read More →
How Fuel Delivery Shapes Engine Performance
Fuel delivery depends on more than what happens at the injector. For fleet, maintenance and technical professionals, looking at the full path from pump to injector can provide useful context for understanding engine performance.
Read More →
East Coast Port Launches $45M Electric Truck Push
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced millions in incentives for zero-emission drayage trucks, yard tractors, and new charging hubs near the port.
Read More →
California Bill Could Shed Light on Electric Truck Prices
Why do battery-electric Class 8 trucks remain so expensive? A California bill headed to Gov. Gavin Newsom would give fleets and state agencies more visibility into what manufacturers charge.
Read More →
Detroit Opens Orders for EPA 2027 Engines
Detroit isn’t starting from scratch to meet EPA 2027 diesel emissions standards. Its Gen 6 DD13 and DD15 engines keep much of today’s platform while updating the fuel and aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
Zero-Emission Truck Corridor Planned for West Coast
California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Baja California are coordinating plans for truck charging and hydrogen fueling from Canada to Mexico.
Read More →A Closer Look at Kenworth’s Electric T880E Vocational Truck [Video]
Learn more about Kenworth's T880E battery-electric vocational truck at the Paccar Technical Center, including its range, applications, upfitting considerations, and PTO options, in this HDT Spotlight video.
Read More →
Kenworth T880E Brings EV Power to Vocational Trucks
A closer look at the Kenworth T880E’s range, charging, powertrain and upfit options — and where fleets are showing the most interest.
Read More →
Jennie Abarca Is Proving Electric Trucks Can Do the Job
HDT Truck Fleet Innovator Jennie Abarca is building confidence in fleet electrification one load at a time while openly sharing the challenges she encounters along the way as a small-fleet owner.
Read More →
Cummins Adjusts 2027 Engine Rollout After EPA Proposal
The engine maker will gradually introduce its new Model Year 2027 diesel engines while continuing to offer current models during the transition, citing the EPA's proposed emissions rule changes.
Read More →

