Peterbilt has partnered with Westport Innovations to develop a natural gas version of its Model 386 for Wal-Mart.


These units will meet 2008 EPA and CARB emission levels of 0.8g/bhp-hr NOx and 0.01g/bhp-hr PM. The trucks will be eligible for a federal tax credit in the United States and other state-specific emissions credits.

Through this partnership, Peterbilt will deliver the Model 386 chassis, optimized for the Westport Innovations system, to a dedicated installation facility that can quickly up-fit the system for fast turnaround to the customer. These chassis will feature the Cummins ISX engine rated at 400 to 450 horsepower, and up to 1,750 pounds-feet of torque. Provisions for mounting the system's LNG tanks, fuel pumps, and associated electronics, will all be included.

"Our partnerships with Westport Innovations have seamlessly allowed the reconfiguration of Peterbilt vehicles to natural gas utilization," said Bill Jackson, Peterbilt general manager and Paccar vice president. "Our vehicles paired with natural gas utilization offer another viable option to our customers seeking lower-emission, fuel-efficient vehicles."

To run on natural gas, the injectors in the Cummins ISX engine are replaced with Westport's High Pressure Direct Injection units. These are able to separately and independently meter, time and inject diesel and high pressure natural gas directly into the combustion chamber. A small diesel pilot injection is used at all times to provide an initial combustion source, with the majority of the fuel energy being delivered through the natural gas injection.

The first four of these units will be Model 386's built for Wal-Mart for use at their Apple Valley, California distribution center. Deployment will be funded in part by the Mojave Desert Air Quality Management District.