PG&E Adds Five HD LNG Trucks to Its Fleet
Californian utility, Pacific Gas and Electric Company has purchased five Class 8 heavy-duty LNG trucks (Kenworth T800) for its alternative fuel fleet. According to David Meisel, director of transportation services at PG&E, "The Kenworth LNG-powered trucks will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 15 to 20 percent over equivalent diesel engines."
These trucks actually use a bi-fuel system: The truck uses diesel to ignite the engine and then continues working with natural gas. This system is called High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI). According to Kenworth and Westport Innovations, this systems allows the same torque and power as diesel engines, but has all the benefits of using natural gas (those lower emissions).
PG&E operates 36 natural gas fueling stations throughout its northern and central California service territory, 27 of which are open to the public. In addition, PG&E utilizes a mobile trailer mounted system for LNG vehicle fueling (manufactured by Chart Industries).
[Source: PG&E via NGV Global]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
GreyFlcn 6:52PM (2/01/2008)
50% reduction in fuel cost
20% reduction in CO2
400-450 mile range
Not bad.
http://www.ngvglobal.com/market-developments/pg-e-adds-five-hd-lng-trucks-to-its-fleet-2.html
And of course before Tim busts in here with his silly rhetoric about the dangers of LNG.
http://www.consumerenergycenter.org/transportation/afvs/lng.html
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Mort 7:08PM (2/01/2008)
I live in middle America, but I have been tracking PG&E for some time now. Way to go PG&E, keep up the good work!
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Chris M 9:46PM (2/01/2008)
It does mean lower fuel costs, and much cleaner exhaust. With no particulates and very low unburned hydrocarbons, and the remaining diesel problem, NOx, can easily be treated with catalytic converters as there are no particulates to clog up the works!
The big downside is lack of refill facilities for LNG, but that isn't a problem for local fleet use.
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rob 10:58PM (2/01/2008)
15% CO2 improvement well to wheels? The L part of LNG requires a LOT of energy for either chilling or compression. Or both.
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GreyFlcn 2:49PM (2/02/2008)
Well one of the big problems with electric is that you couldn't really make it work for Class 8 trucks.
This provides a half decent alternative to diesel, while at the same time being considerably cheaper.
The other nice thing about class 8 trucks is that can be a lot more restricted in their driving patterns, thus requiring far less fueling infrastructure.
Now I wonder what would happen if they switched to a mild-electric starter. (i.e. Forget the diesel entirely)
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