MATS, LOUISVILLE -- Peterbilt Motors has added optional natural gas power to its two newest vehicles, the on-highway Model 579 and the vocational Model 567. Both vehicles will be available with the Cummins Westport ISX12 G and a compressed natural gas fuel system, the company said.

“Peterbilt leads the heavy duty commercial vehicle industry with the broadest range of natural gas engine and fuel system offerings,” said Darrin Siver, general manager and Paccar vice president.

“Adding our two new landmark vehicles – the Model 579 and Model 567 – to this portfolio will provide our natural gas customers with the industry’s most innovative, advanced vehicles with new state-of-the-art CNG systems.”

Peterbilt displayed displayed a CNG version of its 579 tractor at the Mid-America Trucking Show. The vehicle has Quantum Fuel Systems' back-of-cab CNG storage system.

Both vehicles comply with all EPA 2013 and CARB emissions regulations and will be available with five ratings, from 320 to 400 horsepower and 1,150 to 1,450 pound-feet.

Peterbilt leads the industry with 40% of all Class 6-8 natural gas truck sales and has been manufacturing these types of vehicles for nearly 20 years, he said.

"Our breadth of our natural-gas vehicle offerings, the most of any manufacturer, helps ensure we will meet the application and business requirements of most every industry segment,” said Siver. “Customers can choose from a wide range of vehicles, engines and spec options to meet their full range of needs.”

The Quantum CNG storage system on display at the show is lightweight and of high capacity, he said. It uses Quantum’s compact Q-lite tank design and can store 123 DGE (diesel gallon equivalents) of fuel, and is designed for easy “drop-and-go” installation.

The back-of-cab system can be combined with Quantum’s single- or dual-frame rail-mounted systems to reach a combined capacity of 170 or 216 DGE.

“CNG configurations of our Models 579 and 567 are ideal for customers in short- and regional-haul, refuse and construction applications who desire a clean-burning, fuel-saving natural gas engine,” said Robert Woodall, Peterbilt’s director of sales and marketing.

CNG configurations of the 579 and 567 will be in production later this year, he added. For more information visit www.peterbilt.com.