Kenworth expands green efforts

DALLAS, Texas — Kenworth is hyping up its newest environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient enhancements, including aerodynamics, a no-idle system, and hybrid power.

“There is a groundswell of customer interest from an economic and environmental standpoint,” said Kenworth general manager and Paccar VP Bob Christensen at the Great American Truck Show in Dallas.

“We expect that interest to multiply as federal and state agencies become more aggressive in protecting the environment and reducing dependence on foreign oil. Alternative fuels and hybrid technology are here to stay. Kenworth is committed to design and build fuel-efficient trucks that help reduce emissions and decrease customer operating costs.”

Kenworth’s leadership in fuel conservation dates back to 1985 when the company introduced the industry’s first truly aerodynamic truck, the T600A. Today, Kenworth’s dedication to the “green fleet” extends to the EPA SmartWay program, Kenworth Clean Power no-idle system, Kenworth T800 liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks, medium duty hybrid-electric vehicles, and Paccar medium duty engines, the truckmaker points out.

In addition, the Kenworth T660 with 72-inch AeroCab sleeper is now available with Kenworth Clean Power, which may enhance fuel economy by as much as 8 percent for customers with current high idling times.

The company also received the prestigious Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute’s 2007 Industry Innovation Award for alternative fuel trucks for the Kenworth T800 LNG truck. The award, which was shared with its Southern California dealer Inland Kenworth, Clean Energy and Vancouver-based Westport Innovations, involves Kenworth T800s being placed into the port markets of Los Angeles and Long Beach, two of the nation’s busiest ports.

The Kenworth T800s are equipped with Westport’s LNG fuel system that runs primarily on liquefied natural gas and is installed on the Cummins 15-liter engine.

Kenworth says it’s extremely happy with the performance of its new Kenworth hybrid. “It’s still very early, but fuel economy is up an estimated 35 percent in the first few weeks of operation compared to one of our similarly spec’d Kenworth T300s,” said Mark Geyer, fleet manager for Dunn Lumber Co. in Seattle, which was the first fleet to take hold of the hybrid trucks.