Cummins X15N raises the profile of natural gas

It’s hard to think of ACT Expo, the alternative fuel and green energy transportation trade show in Las Vegas this week, as anything other than a showcase for battery-electric trucks, but alternatives were absolutely on hand – especially natural gas.

The 15-liter Cummins natural gas engine announced in 2021 generated excitement in the space like never before; namely, because it fills a gap in great power that has seemed unlikely for many years. The Cummins X15N is the industry’s first 15-liter natural gas engine that delivers power, range and performance comparable to a diesel engine, making it attractive for short, regional and long-haul applications.

Powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), renewable natural gas (RNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG), the X15N produces 400 to 500 horsepower and up to 6,000 Nm of torque. of torque and is compatible with Eaton Cummins Endurant and Allison transmissions. It also meets stringent EPA emissions requirements and the CARB 2024 Low NOx standard and has up to 10% better fuel economy than a 12-liter Cummins natural gas engine with similar ratings and duty cycle.

(Related: Natural gas is the strongest argument in history for long-haul transport)

Peterbilt offers the Cummins X15N natural gas engine in three models – 579, 567 and 520 – and production orders are also planned for the third quarter.Clean Energy, the largest supplier of the cleanest fuels to the transportation market, debuted its X15N natural gas engine demonstrator truck at the ACT Expo this week. The truck will be powered by ultra-clean, negative-emission renewable natural gas (RNG), a transportation fuel made from organic waste that drastically reduces carbon dioxide emissions by an average of 300% compared to diesel fuel.

Kenworth announced plans to begin production of the T680 and T880 models equipped with the X15N natural gas engine in the third quarter of this year. Peterbilt offers the Cummins X15N natural gas engine in three models – 579, 567 and 520 – and production orders are also planned for the third quarter.

Customers can choose factory frame drilling options for Cummins Clean Fuel Technologies or Hexagon Agility CNG/RNG rear-of-cab fuel systems. Additional aftermarket fuel systems are available to provide flexibility for any natural gas fuel system application or configuration, including rail- or body-mounted fuel storage. Natural gas fuel delivery systems located at the rear of the cab can deliver up to 175 gallons of diesel fuel (DGE).

“Christmas” power

Cummins has found several high-profile Beta partners for its X15N, including Walmart and Werner. However, equipped with an everyday Kenworth or Peterbilt, the X15N can go unnoticed to the untrained eye. However, it was also the engine of choice for Shell’s CNG-powered Starship 3.0 concept tractor, which will embark on a nationwide tour shortly after its four-day stopover in Vegas. Starship 3.0 is equipped with a natural gas equivalent of 120 gallons of diesel fuel, which is good for approximately 600 miles between fill-ups.

Just before heading to Vegas, Shell Starship 3.0 set off through North Carolina. During operation, performance data was collected to demonstrate CO2 reduction opportunities and freight tonne efficiency (FTE). These results were monitored by a third party and will be reviewed by the North American Council on Freight Efficiency (NACFE), as has been the case for all previous Starship demonstration flights.

Powered by a 2020 Cummins X15 400 EX Efficiency Series diesel engine paired with an Eaton Endurant 12-speed transmission, the second-generation Starship saw a nearly 21% increase in fuel economy at 10.8 mpg compared to the Starship 1.0’s 8.94 mpg. These numbers compare to the national average of about 6.5 mpg for regular road tractors.

The Cummins X15N engine has also been selected for Shell’s CNG-powered Starship 3.0 concept tractor, which will embark on a nationwide tour shortly after a four-day stopover in Vegas.

Jason Cannon has been writing about trucking and transportation for over a decade and is the editor-in-chief Commercial Carrier Journal. A Class A CDL holder, Jason is a graduate of Porsche Sport Driving School, an honorary duck master at The Peabody in Memphis, Tennessee, and a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Contact him at (email address protected).