April 3, 2009
First Natural Gas-Powered Concrete
Mixer Truck to be Used for Local Construction Projects
The South Coast AQMD today approved funds to demonstrate a prototype natural
gas-powered concrete mixer truck to help reduce emissions from the
construction sector, a major source of smog-forming and toxic diesel
emissions.
Heavy-duty trucks are among the largest contributors of smog-forming
pollutants in the South Coast Air Basin but innovative strides are being
made to facilitate the commercialization of low nitrogen oxide (NOx) and
particulate matter (PM) natural gas engine technology in order to achieve
federal clean air goals.
Currently, no original equipment manufacturer produces a concrete truck with
a natural gas-powered engine.
“We are looking forward to making this type of clean-fueled truck widely
available to construction companies interested in promoting clean energy,”
said William A. Burke, Ed.D., Governing Board Chairman of the South Coast
Air Quality Management District (AQMD). “It’s important to have natural gas
vehicles for all applications, including heavy-duty construction equipment
and this is a great example of how clean fuel technology is spreading to all
kinds of vehicles.”
There are about 4,700 concrete mixer trucks operating in the South Coast
Basin, with the trucks typically running on 350 horsepower diesel-fueled
engines. Concrete mixer trucks represent 4% of the total vehicular PM
emissions in the region.
The natural gas engine in this demonstration project already meets the 2010
heavy-duty engine emission standards, which will make this the cleanest
concrete mixer truck anywhere in the nation.
The total project cost is estimated at $380,000 with AQMD’s share not to
exceed $100,000 from the Clean Fuels Fund. McNeilus Truck and Manufacturing
Company, based in Minnesota, has been contracted to make the necessary
modifications to the truck prototype so it can be commercialized and sold.
The project includes creating and conducting a six-month testing program and
developing documentation for its maintenance and operational use.
Robertson’s Ready Mix Concrete, another company serving businesses in
Southern California, is currently demonstrating a non-commercial prototype
in their existing fleet of trucks. Company officials say they will consider
purchasing up to 100 natural gas concrete mixer trucks if the demonstration
project proves successful.
AQMD is the air pollution control agency for Orange County and major
portions of Los Angeles, San Bernardino and Riverside counties.
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