Freightliner Dealer to Build APG Dual-Fuel Vocational Trucks
Harrison Truck Centers will introduce a diesel-natural gas fueling system on severe-duty glider-kitted trucks, using a Turbocharged Natural Gas Dual Fuel System from American Power Group.
by Staff
February 11, 2015
Photo courtesy of APG.
3 min to read
Photo courtesy of APG.
Harrison Truck Centers, a Freightliner-Western Star dealer in Iowa, will introduce a diesel-natural gas fueling system on severe-duty glider-kitted trucks, using a Turbocharged Natural Gas Dual Fuel System from American Power Group, the two companies announced.
In collaboration with WheelTime Network's Interstate Power Systems, Harrison will install dual-fuel systems and associated natural gas storage tanks at its glider kit production facility in Elk Run Heights, Iowa. Target markets will include on-highway heavy hauling and the oil and gas, logging, and mining industries.
Ad Loading...
The addition of American Power Group's dual-fuel system will complement Harrison's existing dedicated natural gas engine product line. Harrison Truck Centers is a full-service Freightliner and Western Star dealership and a leader in the production of Freightliner glider kits, said its president and CEO, Brian Harrison.
He explained that Freightliner assembles its glider kits alongside new Freightliner trucks, giving a customer everything a new truck offers except for two of the three main driveline components -- engine, transmission, or rear axle. The fleet owner can reuse any of his existing driveline components or specify a factory installed remanufactured engine or rear axles.
Freightliner Glider Kits are available in day cab or sleeper units with a wide range of options, at a much lower cost compared to a new diesel truck, Harrison said. American Power Group has 459 EPA engine-family approvals for adding dual-fuel systems.
Ad Loading...
“With the exception of APG's Dual Fuel solution, we have not found a natural gas engine solution above 400 hp that can meet the demands and power performance of heavy-haul and severe-duty vocational trucks, especially in extreme and severe operating environments," Harrison said.
"We currently have two APG severe-duty glider trucks operating in some of the harshest oil and gas field environments in the U.S. and are experiencing great performance results and high up-time,” he added. ”Our marketing launch will start this spring with a Freightliner 122SD Severe-Duty Dual Fuel Glider Kit being displayed at several national truck, oil and gas and alternative fuel vehicular conferences. We expect dual-fuel gliders will be rolling off the production line by early summer."
Lyle Jensen, American Power Group's CEO, also pointed out that "the heavy-haul trucking industry does not have a viable natural gas engine option for the 400- to 600-hp Class 8 trucks. During 2014, several dedicated natural gas engine OEMs cancelled or delayed their 13-liter and 15-liter natural gas engine development, leaving a huge gap in the Class 8 natural gas engine coverage."
"While the current annual on-highway glider market is reported to be in excess of 5,000 vehicles per year, the number of heavy-duty and severe-duty trucks in the oil and gas, logging and mining industries are estimated to total in the tens of thousands and represents a significant new addressed market segment," Jensen noted.
CARB says the California Clean Fuel Reward program will begin offering point-of-sale rebates of up to $120,000 for electric commercial trucks starting June 26.
Along with unveiling its EPA 2027-compliant MP13 engine, Mack outlined powertrain changes across its Class 6-8 lineup, including new Cummins-based X10 engines.
Volvo says advances in combustion and aftertreatment helped its new EPA 2027 D13 engine avoid the fuel-economy penalties many once expected from tighter NOx emissions limits.
Tesla’s Semi chief at ACT Expo outlined production growth, lower-cost models, charging expansion, and why the company believes fleets are leaving money on the table by waiting on electric trucks.
A new report from the Electrification Coalition outlines key barriers slowing electric truck charging deployment and offers policy solutions to accelerate infrastructure growth.
Westport and Volvo are demonstrating a 500-hp truck with diesel-like efficiency — one that also offers what Westport says is a better pathway to using hydrogen fuel in trucks.
Relying on diesel alone exposes fleets to fuel price volatility. Here’s why diversification with electric, natural gas, and renewable fuels can reduce risk.
Range Energy said its production-ready eTrailer system proved it can boost stability, safety, and efficiency in sub-zero winter conditions as the company moves toward scaled deployment.
