California certifies turbine engine for commercial hybrids

CHATSWORTH, Calif. (Feb. 12, 2001) — The California Air Resources Board has certified the world’s first turbine engine for use in commercial hybrid electric vehicles.

The engine, built by Capstone MicroTurbine, produced nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions of 0.26 grams per brake horsepower-hour using CNG (compressed natural gas), 0.53 using LPG (propane). Particulates using either fuel were virtually undetectable.

In comparison to emissions figures published in CARB’s database, the natural gas-fueled Capstone MicroTurbine power system has 80% fewer NOx emissions than the next-lowest-emitting CARB-certified heavy-duty bus and truck CNG engine.

In hybrid electric vehicle applications, the turbine engine serves as an onboard generator to recharge the hybrid’s batteries, greatly extending range and payload capacity. It has been used primarily in transit buses.

Certification to a CARB-defined test cycle is essential for widespread engine acceptance not only in California, but throughout the nation. Many vehicle manufacturers, transit authorities and others, even in countries outside of North America, look to CARB-certified emissions performance to make their long-range purchasing decisions.

A diesel-fueled version of the Capstone MicroTurbine is currently available and EPA-sanctioned for sale in all states other than California. Capstone has submitted this diesel model for CARB certification.