Mack Trucks, Inc. Brings Natural Gas Power To Refuse Applications


USA, Las Vegas

Municipalities are mandating alternative fuel vehicles

Mack Trucks, Inc. has released the MACK® TerraProTM Low Entry model refuse truck with heavy-duty natural gas engines supplied by Cummins Westport, Inc. (CWI). The truck was launched by Mack during WasteExpo 2009, in response to the growing need for low-emission alternative fuel vehicles. The TerraPro Cabover model will be available later. The 9-liter Cummins Westport ISL G is rated at 320 hp, can use compressed (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG), and has a three-way catalytic converter to meet EPA'10 emissions standards.

Mack reports that Groot Industries, Inc., a major waste hauler in the Midwest, has already placed an order for the TerraPro with ISL G engines. The 20 units will run on CNG and are scheduled to go into service in the Chicago area by the end of the year.

Mack officials said they have seen a growing number of municipalities mandate alternative fuel vehicles as a condition of contracts with refuse haulers.

"Natural gas has a number of significant benefits," said Tom Kelly, Mack senior vice president of product portfolio management. "It burns very cleanly, there is an abundant supply here in North America, and it's comparable to diesel in terms of cost over the life of the vehicle."

Kelly also emphasized that the Mack trucks have been specifically engineered and built to operate on natural gas - an important advantage over aftermarket conversions. The ISL G engine is installed on the production line at the Mack Macungie Assembly Operations plant. Each truck comes with a full factory warranty.

Currently, Mack is working with Volvo Group company -- Terracastus Technologies -- to develop a "total solution" landfill gas product that offers fuel production technology combined with natural gas powered vehicles optimized for the landfill hauling application.

Buck