Cummins Westport ISL G Near Zero engine enters production

Cummins Westport today announced that production has begun on their ISL G Near Zero (NZ) NOx natural gas engine.

The ISL G NZ is the first mid-range engine in North America to receive emission certification from both U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and California Air Resources Board (CARB) to meet the optional 0.02 g/bhp-hr. Near Zero NOx Emissions standards eight years in advance of the 2023 California Near Zero NOx schedule and contributing to California Clean Air initiatives.

Exhaust emissions of the ISL G NZ are 90 percent lower than the current EPA and CARB NOx limit of 0.2 g/bhp-hr. and also meet the 2017 EPA greenhouse gas (GHG) emission requirements. CWI natural gas engines have met the 2010 EPA standard for particulate matter (0.01 g/bhp-hr.) since 2001.

“The start of production of the ISL G Near Zero natural gas engine offers a game-changing solution for the reduction of urban tailpipe and engine related emissions,” said Rob Neitzke, President of Cummins Westport.  “Combined with the reliability and operating improvements on the base ISL G engine, the ISL G Near Zero is now at the forefront of cost-effective and dependable emission reduction strategies in transit, medium-duty truck and refuse applications.”

The ISL G NZ can operate on compressed, liquid or renewable natural gas (RNG).  Operating ISL G NZ engines on RNG offers a significant GHG emissions benefit compared to fossil fuels.

In addition to the dramatic reduction in NOx, the ISL G NZ will feature closed crankcase ventilation, reducing engine related GHG methane emissions by 70 percent.

Leveraging the technology improvements of the ISL G, the ISL G NZ offers customers the benefit of improved reliability and durability as well as range and performance with the lowest emissions, utilizing maintenance-free three-way catalyst (TWC) aftertreatment.

TWCs are effective, simple, passive devices, packaged as part of the muffler.  Cummins Westport natural gas engines do not require active aftertreatment such as a diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction.

The ISL G NZ is manufactured at the Cummins Engine Plant in Rocky Mount, North Carolina.  Backed by a Cummins factory warranty and supported by Cummins Service Network, the ISL G NZ offers low emission performance and efficiency with engine ratings from 250-320 horsepower, and 660-1,000 lb.-ft. of torque.

For the convenience of customers, base warranty, extended coverage options, maintenance procedures, and service intervals are the same as the current ISL G.

The ISL G NZ engine is available as a first fit engine with transit, shuttle and school bus, refuse and truck original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), or as an engine replacement (repower) for existing ISL G vehicles.

Cummins Westport received engine development funding support from South Coast Air Quality Management District, SoCalGas and the California Energy Commission.