Methanol-Fueled Heavy-Duty Truck Engine Applications - The CEC Program

The California Energy Commission (CEC) and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (SCAQMD) have embarked upon a program to demonstrate the use of methanol in heavy-duty truck application in the state of California. This program is in response to the growing environmental concerns in the major metropolitan areas of California. Methanol engines from five engine manufacturers, Caterpillar, Cummins, DDC, Navistar and Ford will be evaluated in a cross section of applications in public and private fleets. The engines will be used in dump trucks, refuse trucks, beverage delivery, and tractor trailer rigs. The demonstration program will collect data on fuel economy, vehicle performance, vehicle emissions, engine durability and driver response. Several additional methanol fueling facilities will be built at the host sites.