A Demonstration of Methanol-Powered Buses in Windsor Ontario

Emissions from heavy-duty diesel vehicles have come under increased scrutiny with passage of the U.S. Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990. Methanol (M100) is seen as an important option for operators of transit fleets given the fuel's liquid nature and relative availability. This paper presents the results of a 36-month demonstration of a fleet of six methanol-powered transit buses equipped with DDC 6V-92TA engines. The engines were delivered in 1991 and were the first batch of Detroit Diesel engines certified to meet 1991 clean air standards. A similarly equipped control fleet of six diesel buses was tracked simultaneously.

This paper includes an evaluation of bus operating data and emissions. Data such as fuel and oil consumption were collected along with a complete list of maintenance actions on both fleets. Chassis dynamometer emissions testing was carried out by Environment Canada at their River Road (Ottawa) test facility.