Omnitek Engineering to develop heavy-duty propane-powered engines
Omnitek Engineering Corp., based in Vista, California, received a contract to develop a heavy-duty 12-liter propane engine for Class 8 trucks and to certify the engine to Euro 6 emissions standards.
The propane engine is targeted for regions with no access to natural gas, particularly European countries with mature fueling infrastructure for propane due to decades of LP gas utilization in passenger vehicles, according to the company.
“The ability of Omnitek’s technology to achieve Euro 6 emissions certification standards, which is a competitive advantage and not easily achieved, has not gone unnoticed in Europe,” says Werner Funk, president and CEO of Omnitek Engineering Corp. “In addition, the availability of a 13-liter 450-hp Euro 6 heavy-duty natural gas engine and a 12-liter 360-hp propane autogas engine should further accelerate deployment of clean ecofriendly, heavy-duty trucks in Europe, as well as other world regions that require Euro 6 certification.”
Funk highlighted the low-cost and clean-burning benefits of propane, particularly as oil prices begin to increase and emissions policies address the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
“Carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide and black carbon emissions from diesel engines, potent greenhouse gas emissions, are abated when utilizing natural gas or propane, and our technology offers countries around the globe a viable and proven solution,” Funk says.
With relatively low oil prices, the company is still in active discussions with several large fleet operators for new and/or expanded conversion programs, Funk says. He anticipates certain key projects expanding soon, as fleet managers complete analysis of the data from on-road evaluation programs and focus on the economic benefits of a payback period of less than two years for diesel-to-natural gas engine conversions, especially since diesel prices have increased recently.
“In addition, the environmental benefits and related compliance issues with meeting emissions mandates are important catalysts for fleet conversions and we look forward to further accelerating the utilization of natural gas and propane,” Funk says.