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Achates heavy-duty opposed piston engine enters fleet trials

7 April 2022

Achates Power announced that the heavy-duty opposed piston diesel engine it developed in a project funded by the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and several partners has entered fleet service with Walmart Corporation in California. It is the only diesel engine operating on the road capable of meeting CARB’s 2027 low NOx emission regulation, which requires a 90% reduction in NOx compared to current standards.

The demonstration vehicle, a Peterbilt 579 tractor, is also able to achieve a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions, according to Achates. The 10.6 L, 3-cylinder opposed piston engine is engineered to achieve superior fuel efficiency because of its lower heat losses, improved combustion and reduced pumping losses. The cleaner engine is able to deliver ultra-low NOx by managing exhaust gas temperatures to ensure rapid catalyst light off and by maintaining aftertreatment temperatures at optimum operating conditions in all driving conditions.

The engine utilizes a conventional underfloor DPF+SCR emission aftertreatment system and does not require any additional emission control devices such as a dual dosing SCR system. Achates Power is conducting further testing with a catalyst aged to the equivalent of 800,000 miles of operation to demonstrate the ability to meet CARB’s emission durability requirements.

The opposed-piston engine can use existing manufacturing facilities, processes, and materials to allow rapid time-to-market and deployment. It also uses existing components and supply chains, and has a reduced part count compared to conventional engines. Achates expects the engine to cost less than current engines, even as it meets more stringent emission requirements.

The demonstration project team is lead by CALSTART. The team includes Aramco Americas, BASF, Corning, Southwest Research Institute, Borg Warner, Eaton, Faurecia, Tenneco, Eberspächer and SuperTurbo. “Achates Power is grateful that the California Air Resources Board led the funding of this demonstration program, and we are pleased to work with our partners around the world to bring opposed-piston engines to the market,” said Dave Crompton, President and CEO of Achates Power.

In addition to CARB, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, and the Sacramento Metro Air Quality Management District provided funding for the project.

Source: Achates Power