Westport extends range of natural gas trucks with new tank system

Westport says the new tanks systems can run for approximately 350 to 450 miles, on cold (unsaturated) liquid natural gas fuel. will reduce overall vehicle weight by approximately 600 lbs, and has shorter refueling times than compressed natural gas.Westport Innovations (TSX:WPT) today announced that, early next year, it will release a on-board storage solution that means greater range for truckers using spark-ignited natural gas engines.

The Westport™ LNG Tank System will be available in 120 and 150 gallon capacities, and will be available midway through next year.

Steve Anderson, Westport HD Vice President of Business Development said the solution gives more flexibility to fleet owners.

“Our early production systems tested with the Cummins Westport ISX12 G in a Peterbilt 384 truck have proven to have excellent performance characteristics and superior operating results on a single tank,” he said, adding: “We believe this is the only on-board fuel system for LNG-fueled engines that can operate on a single tank using range-extending cold LNG. “Thanks to the flexibility and range of the Westport LNG Tank System, fleet operators can now use the same cold LNG and technology across their fleet in a range of vehicle and engine sizes,” said Anderson.

Westport says the new tanks systems can run for approximately 350 to 450 miles, on cold liquid natural gas fuel, will reduce overall vehicle weight by approximately 600 lbs, and has shorter refueling times than compressed natural gas.

At press time, shares of Westport Innovations on the TSX were up 1% to $25.68.

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