Alkane Truck Co. prepares to roll out Class 7 vehicle

Alkane Truck Co. Inc. will begin assembly early next year for a Class 7 cab-over truck powered with LP gas or compressed natural gas in the 26,000- and 33,000-pound gross vehicle weight classes in North America, the company announced.

The Myrtle Beach, S.C., company will assemble the vehicles at its Summerville, S.C., facility, and it says the trucks are now available for dealership orders.

The powertrain in the Alkane Class 7 cab-over truck delivers the same torque at 1,500 rpms as comparable diesel engines at a fraction of the cost of operation, according to the company.

Class 7 trucks are widely used for inter-city operations due to their tight turning radius and maneuverability. They are used for various applications, such as box, propane, beverage and other delivery truck applications.

The truck comes equipped with a Power Solutions International 8.8-liter big block engine with a Bi-Phase Technologies liquid propane autogas or compressed natural gas fuel system. The Allison 2500 series heavy-duty automatic transmission complements the fuel system.