IN LATE OCTOBER 1987, THE CANADIAN MILE project (Methanol In Large Engines) began operating a Kenworth W90G highway tractor unit, powered by a Caterpillar 3406 DITA engine converted to run on neat methanol, on demonstration runs along the Trans-Canada highway in British Columbia.
In March 1988 this truck was joined in service by a second similar vehicle. Both trucks have operated with high levels of reliability and availability, and by the end of the trial period in August 1989 had recorded collectively over 550,000 kms.
The project also includes two Freightliner municipal garbage collection trucks operated by the City of Vancouver. These trucks have modified Cummins L10 engines fueled by methanol containing 5% ICI “Avocet” ignition enhancer. The first one began service in April 1988, and to date has accumulated 18,000 kms on the road. The second truck was converted for methanol fuel, in February 1989 and has logged approximately 7,000 kms since then.