EcoDual Teams up With Clemson to Promote Use of Natural Gas Fueled Trucks
A university center for automotive innovation has partnered with a company doing advanced technology research and development to advance commercial availability of natural gas engine systems for heavy-duty diesel trucks.
A university center for automotive innovation has partnered with a company doing advanced technology research and development to advance commercial availability of natural gas engine systems for heavy-duty diesel trucks.
The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research and Beaufort, S.C.-based EcoDual Inc. will focus their combined resources on conversion of diesel engines already on the road to natural gas operation and reduction of exhaust emissions.
The team then will move on will address challenges associated with optimizing natural gas use in new diesel engines under development by OEMs.
The team also will research strategies to develop clean combustion engines aimed at minimizing the need for costly and cumbersome "exhaust aftertreatment," a strategic expertise found uniquely in the CU-ICAR faculty.
"We expect to see a significant uptake in the use of natural gas for heavy-duty vehicles in the immediate future, driven by the projected low prices of this fuel compared to diesel," said Zoran Filipi, Timken endowed chair in vehicle system design at CU-ICAR.
"The increased use of natural gas for transportation is the most cost-effective way to utilize the vast quantity of newly discovered domestic reserves," Filipi said. "This new research relationship with EcoDual is very exciting for us, and will unlock the full potential of this technology, including the possibilities to make engines run cleaner."
EcoDual's system allows conversion of a heavy-duty diesel to run on a combination of natural gas and diesel fuels. More than 60% of the engine's power is generated by burning natural gas.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently approved the first EcoDual conversion systems for the 15L Cummins ISX. Development is under way for additional Cummins and Detroit Diesel heavy-duty engines.
In dual-fuel operation, trucks maintain the same torque, power and fuel economy as when they run on straight diesel fuel. Systems can be configured for ranges of more than 800 miles on compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas.
The EcoDual systems automatically run on 100% diesel if the natural gas tanks run out.
More Fuel Smarts
DTNA Software Update Gives Truckers More Time Before DEF Derates Take Effect
The changes reflect EPA guidance aimed at reducing downtime caused by emissions-system faults while maintaining compliance requirements.
Read More →
New Agentic Predictive Maintenance Report Demonstrates How Degraded Aftertreatment Systems Waste Fuel
Questar analyzed a large mixed-class fleet and discovered it was wasting as much as $30 in fuel per vehicle, per day, because of mechanically degraded aftertreatment systems.
Read More →
New York City's Microhub Project is Delivering Results
Trucking, last-mile delivery companies, and environmental advocates like what they are seeing so far with New York's microhub program.
Read More →
Lessons Learned About Alternative Fuels: Start Small, Stay Flexible
Practical advice on adopting alternative fuels and ZEVs from HDT's 2026 Top Green Fleets, from renewable diesel and natural gas to electric trucks.
Read More →
Kempower Adds Flex EV Charger to Help Support Transition to Megawatt Charging
The Kempower Mega Satellite Flex has both a CCS and MCS connector, allowing operators to serve both types of heavy-duty vehicles.
Read More →
Hino Adds Electric Class 6/7 Truck
Hino says the Le Series is an important step in the company's efforts to reduce environmental impact and support its customers’ sustainability goals.
Read More →
Can Multi-Speed EV Transmissions Solve Heavy Trucking’s Biggest Electric-Vehicle Problems?
A startup called Sigma Powertrain believes purpose-built multi-speed gearboxes can boost efficiency, reduce battery size and improve gradeability for heavy-duty battery-electric trucks.
Read More →
Hendrickson Debuts Electraax E-Axle for Medium-Duty Trucks
Developed with Driventic, Hendrickson's new integrated e-axle is designed to improve efficiency, reduce weight, and extend range in Class 6-7 EV applications.
Read More →
50 Ways Fleets Can Cut Fuel Costs Now — Without Buying New Trucks
Fuel savings don’t come from one big change. They come from dozens of small ones. Here’s how leading fleets are stacking gains across drivers, routing, maintenance, and more.
Read More →
Top Green Fleets 2026: How Fleets Are Reducing Emissions in the Real World
What works in sustainable trucking today? Heavy Duty Trucking's Top Green Fleets are finding practical ways to cut fuel use, reduce emissions, and keep freight moving.
Read More →