Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/357935
30 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | AUGUST 2014 C ummins Inc. announced the devel- opment of a medium-duty engine and powertrain designed to reduce car- bon dioxide emissions by as much as 80 percent compared with a baseline gaso- line-powered medium-duty truck. The work was funded jointly by Cummins in partnership with the California Energy Commission. Cummins said more than 1,000 miles and 1,500 hours have been accumulated on the Ethos 2.8L engine over the past 2½ years, demonstrating that the technology is capable of far exceeding the 50 percent CO2 emissions reductions outlined in the project's goals. A final on-road validation testing phase has been underway since June near Sacramento, Calif. The Cummins Ethos 2.8L is designed specifically to use E-85, a clean-burning blend of 85 percent ethanol and 15 per- cent gasoline. The engine, which oper- ates at diesel-like cylinder pressures and incorporates advanced spark-ignition technology, is engineered to deliver the power (up to 250 hp) and peak torque (up to 450 lb.-ft.) of gasoline and diesel engines nearly twice its 2.8-liter displacement. The engine also incorporates an inte- grated stop-start system to help reduce fuel consumption and emissions further. In stop-start mode, the engine shuts down after the vehicle comes to a com- plete stop and the brake pedal remains depressed; as the driver's foot is lifted from the brake, the system automatically starts the engine to allow seamless accel- eration from the stop. Cummins worked with Allison Transmission to integrate the 2000 Series transmission to facilitate smooth and efficient stop-start operation. The transmission is equipped with hydraulic circulation features designed for smooth operation and quick vehicle launch. Additional partners in the project included Valvoline, which provided its NextGen engine oils designed for lower CO2 emissions; and Freightliner Custom Chassis, which provided a prototype MT45 Class 5 step-van vehicle. – Jack Roberts Text INFO to 205-289-3554 or visit www.ccjdigital.com/info Cummins touts reduced-emissions medium-duty truck engine Freightliner Custom Chassis provided a prototype MT45 Class 5 step-van vehicle for Cummins' Ethos 2.8L medium-duty engine project.