The technologically advanced Kenworth K108 is the first LNG-fuelled prime mover to be built for a specific operator at Kenworth’s Bayswater production facility in Victoria. The prime mover will go into service hauling a 68 tonne GCM B-Double curtainsider with one of Australia’s most innovative and dynamic freight logistics companies, Kalari Pty Ltd.

 

Kalari, part of the global Swire Group, is proud to launch Australia’s first custom built prime mover with an LNG fuel system. Kalari is continually adopting new technology and business processes to ensure it can gain environmental, efficiency and cost advantages.

 

“We recognise that the nature of the transport industry is changing,” Managing Director Greg Stevenson said. “Amid a context of increasing concerns about climate change, volatile fuel pricing and a potential Emission Trading Scheme, Kalari knows that we must rethink how we consume resources.

 

“To prosper in the years to come, improving our emissions intensity is crucial, and this vehicle is an exciting step towards realising this goal” said Greg.

 

Since inception in 1976, Kalari has operated a predominantly Kenworth fleet. Today 90 per cent of its trucks are Kenworth prime movers, including the K108, T401, T408, T408 SAR, T604, T658 and T908 models. The LNG-fuelled Kenworth K108 will become an important part of Kalari’s on-going commitment to lowering greenhouse gas emissions and reducing the company’s impact on the environment.

 

With 250 trucks operating across all mainland states of Australia, Kalari travels about 600,000 kilometres a week. The company estimated that in 2008 it consumed 18 million litres of diesel fuel.

 

The LNG-fuelled Kenworth K108 has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20-25% relative to diesel engines, without sacrificing power or torque output.

 

Darren Whyte, Kalari Pty Ltd’s General Manager of Fleet, highlighted Kenworth and Kalari’s close association, saying the handover of the first production-built LNG Kenworth wasn’t just an important milestone for both companies, but a significant development for the entire Australian road transport industry.

 

"We employ the latest technology and methods so that we can improve our fuel efficiency and reduce our impact on the environment, including reducing greenhouse gases".

 

The Swire Group’s Environmental Coordinator, Sophie Pieters-Hawke said that the LNG fuel system offers not just significant reductions in emissions, but also potential savings in fuel costs as well.

 

“As LNG has less than half the carbon content of diesel, we expect a very significant emissions saving. For us, being green is not a ‘fad’, but a long term commitment – this investment represents a commitment by both Kalari’s and the Swire Group,” Ms. Pieters-Hawke added.

 

Kenworth Australia partnered with Westport Innovations Inc. to jointly develop the advanced Westport liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuelled trucks for the Australian market. Based on the Cummins ISX diesel engine with cooled EGR, the Westport GX 15L LNG version offers the same horsepower, torque, and efficiency as the base diesel engine it is replacing.

 

“Kenworth Australia took the lead role in developing the first local OEM solution for the design and manufacture of LNG powered trucks as part of our commitment to road transport’s environmentally-sustainable future,” Mr Andrew Hadjikakou, Director Sales and Marketing, PACCAR Australia explained. “This milestone is testament to Kenworth’s commitment to Australian manufacturing and our on-going support for Australian road transport operators”.

 

“The introduction of LNG to the Australian road transport market makes commercial, economic and environmental sense. Australia has an abundant domestic natural gas resource, and by utilising LNG as a transport fuel Kenworth is helping to decrease Australia’s reliance on diesel, while significantly reducing greenhouse gas and particulate matter (PM) emissions”, Andrew continued.

 

The Westport LNG system is certified to the latest Australian Design Rules (ADR 80/02 and ADR 30/01) with the Westport GX 15L’s 580 horsepower and 1850 lb-ft torque rating developed for Australia’s unique and demanding trucking conditions.

 

The system utilises cryogenic tanks with integrated fuel pumps to extract the liquid before it is heated utilising engine coolant to convert the fuel to a gaseous state. Ignition is provided by a small amount of diesel injected into the cylinder prior to the gas using unique two stage injectors which are fed with the required diesel and CNG via a Westport fuel conditioning module, with the whole system controlled by Westport’s own ECU units, Kenworth Product Development Manager Brad May explained.

 

“Kenworth’s experience engineering trucks for Australia’s harsh operating conditions, combined with the industry’s requirement for high-power outputs means that Westport’s HPDI technology and Kenworth’s class-leading model range are an ideal combination for those operators seeking a viable low emission alternative fuel solution.”

 

“There is no doubt that the industry is now seeking efficient greenhouse gas reductions that work productively in their operations, and Kenworth is proud to be able to offer that combination in a factory-built Australian product.”

 

Initially, Kenworth will offer an LNG option in a limited model range that includes the T908, K108 and T408SAR, with optional tank packages available for each to meet customers range requirements. Additional LNG-fuelled Kenworth models may be considered for the future, depending on customer demand.

 

Currently, no other heavy-duty truck manufacturer offers Wesport’s HDMI technology in Australia.

 

Kenworth’s leadership in providing factory-built HPDI trucks shows Australian technical design expertise, commitment to the environment and the economic concerns of it’s customers,” Brad concluded.

 

Kenworth trucks are designed and manufactured in Australia to meet the world’s toughest applications. Kenworth, a division of PACCAR Australia, is market leader in heavy duty trucks in Australia. Its trucks are also exported to Papua New Guinea and New Zealand. PACCAR Inc, a Six Sigma company, is a worldwide manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks under the Kenworth, Peterbilt and DAF nameplates. It also provides financial services and distributes truck parts related to its principal business.

 

RELEASE ENDS

 

For further information:

Neil Willox

Marketing Manager

PACCAR Australia

Tel: (03) 9721 1500