Westport Innovations Inc. (WPT:TSE) of Vancouver today announced that the first U.S. customer for its low-emissions fuel system for heavy-duty trucks is Raley's of West Sacramento, California, a 149-store supermarket chain. Late this year Westport plans to deliver a truck to Raley's for commercial use. The truck, equipped with Westport's fuel system, will use clean-burning natural gas as the primary fuel instead of oil-based diesel fuel.
The sale to Raley's is part of a three-truck prototype development project announced in November 1999 by Westport and Cummins Engine Company, Inc., the world's largest producer of diesel engines over 200 horsepower. Cummins Engine, headquartered in Columbus, Indiana, will supply its newest engine for heavy-duty trucks, the ISX model. Westport previously announced that it will keep one of the trucks for demonstration purposes and will deliver one to Bobell Group, a truck fleet operator based in Aldergrove, British Columbia.
Raley's fleet of 64 trucks serves 120 of the chain's stores in California and Nevada. In 1997 the supermarket chain was honoured by the American Lung Association for being the first business in California to replace 25% of its fleet with vehicles fuelled by liquefied natural gas. The truck supplied by Westport will be integrated into regular fleet service in the Sacramento area. "It is our philosophy at Raley's to maintain our environmental leadership in the business community," said Michael J. Teel, President and CEO of Raley's. "Our many environmental programs can attest to our commitment. We look forward to integrating the Westport system into our fleet to help fulfill our environmental vision."
Cummins Engine Company's Sacramento distributor Cummins West, Inc. will assist with the installation of the Westport fuel system onto the Cummins ISX engine and the truck chassis. Cummins West will also provide follow-up maintenance and ensure accurate measurement of the engine's performance during a one-year test period. Westport is responsible for modifying its fuel system to work with the ISX engine. Westport will also manage the installation of a liquefied natural gas fuel tank and fuel compressor in the truck.
"Raley's participation is a milestone for us," said David Demers, President of Westport. "Raley's experience in alternative fuel technologies makes it an ideal customer for our demonstrations. Westport will be able to accomplish the goals of gaining operating data and providing a very visible example of our technology to potential customers."
Westport's patented High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) technology allows a diesel engine to burn diesel fuel only as a pilot to achieve ignition. The majority of the power comes from a separate injection of natural gas into the engine cylinder as the diesel fuel ignites. The technology is intended to retain all of the performance and fuel economy of diesel engines while meeting future U.S. Environmental Protection Agency emissions targets for oxides of nitrogen (NOx) and particulate matter (PM). Westport's fuel systems are also intended to significantly reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to meet proposed global warming initiatives.
Westport's strategy is to develop natural gas technology for diesel engines through key strategic alliances. With Cummins, Westport is developing the technology for both trucks and stationary power generation. Separately, with Ford Motor Company of Dearborn, Michigan, Westport is developing the enabling technologies for a new natural gas-fuelled diesel engine for light-duty vehicles.
Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements about Westport's plans for its technology based on the current expectations of management. Westport cautions investors that due to risks and uncertainties, actual events may differ materially from current expectations.
For further information please contact:
Alan Bayless, Manager, Investor Relations, Westport Innovations Inc. (604) 718-2016 |
