Achates, Peterbilt to demonstrate Class 8 truck powered by opposed-piston diesel engine
7 March 2018
The California Air Resource Board (CARB) announced a $7 million grant for a demonstration of Class 8 trucks powered by Achates Power opposed-piston engine technology. The project targets a 90% reduction in NOx and a 15-20% fuel efficiency improvement compared to a 2017 commercial vehicle equipped with a current diesel engine.
The project team, led by CALSTART, includes Achates Power, Aramco, Southwest Research Institute (SwRI), Peterbilt, Walmart, and Tyson Foods. Achates Power will contribute its opposed-piston engine technology to the project. Peterbilt will contribute one vehicle and integration services. Tyson Foods will supply a second vehicle.
Four 10.6 L diesel engines based on Achates’ technology will be built under the project. Engines will be tested on dynamometer at the SwRI to establish their capability for efficiency and emissions, and one will be installed in a new 2017 Peterbilt 579 tractor. That tractor will then be placed in revenue service with Walmart. A second engine will be installed in a similar tractor and placed in revenue service with Tyson Foods. The demonstration trucks will operate in fleet service in California in 2020.
California’s ultra-low NOx emissions standard is 0.02 g/bhp-hr. This program will demonstrate the first diesel engine to comply with this standard. In addition, the engine will emit 10% less CO2 than the 2027 federal GHG requirement.
The project is part of CARB’s Low Carbon Transportation and Fuels Investments and Air Quality Improvement Program. The South Coast Air Quality Management District, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District and the Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District also are investing in the project.
Source: CARB news | CARB On-Road Advanced Technology Demonstration Projects