Kenworth to produce LNG vehicles.

Kenworth Truck Co. said will expand its presence in the growing market for environmentally friendly, liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles by beginning production of Kenworth T800 LNG trucks at its manufacturing facility in Renton, Wash., in 2009. Under an exclusive agreement with Westport Innovations

The Kenworth T800, equipped with a Cummins ISX and Westport's HPDI fuel system, offers lower emissions and greenhouse gases while delivering horsepower, torque, and efficiency comparable to a diesel engine, according to Bob Christensen, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president.

The agreement increases Kenworth's LNG truck delivery capacity and further strengthens Westport's ability to meet the growth in market demand for environmentally clean LNG trucks from ports and other fleet customers said a spokesman for Westport.

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The Kenworth LNG factory installation coincides with the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach announcement to approve a new $1.6 billion Clean Truck Superfund. The fund will assist replacing many of the 16,800 Class 8 trucks serving the ports with LNG-powered vehicles. The ports have also introduced a new progressive ban that will remove all pre-2007 trucks by 2012. Westport's LNG fuel system is the only alternative fuel technology currently qualified for financial support under the ports' Clean Truck program, the company said.

Kenworth and Westport Innovations have previously collaborated on an aftermarket basis to equip Kenworth T800s with LNG fuel systems. These trucks are already serving the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. In addition, Pacific Gas & Electric Co. in San Francisco recently became the first utility in the nation to operate Kenworth T800 LNG-powered trucks.

Westport will open a new LNG Fuel System Assembly Center in British Columbia to support the Kenworth factory initiative and to increase production capacities of LNG fuel systems.

The Westport LNG system is available with 400 and 450 HP ratings and up to 1,750 lb.-ft, torque for heavy-duty port, freight, and vocational applications. LNG-fueled trucks are eligible for federal tax credits in the United States and may be eligible for other state-specific emissions credits. The Westport LNG system comprises LNG fuel tanks, proprietary fuel injectors, cryogenic fuel pumps and associated electronic components. The Westport LNG system is 2007 EPA and CARB certified to 0.8g/bhp-hr NOx and 0.01g/bhp-hr PM. Kenworth, Southern California dealer Inland Kenworth, Westport and Clean Energy Fuels received the prestigious Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute's 2007 Industry Innovation Award for this truck product.