American Power Group Corporation ‘s subsidiary American Power Group, Inc. (APG) has partnered with Fitzgerald Glider Kits and the WheelTime Network, a North American truck service network, to offer the nation’s first natural gas dual-fuel glider. A glider kit is basically a new truck delivered without an engine, transmission or accessory components and parts.
The new natural gas glider made its debut at APG’s booth at the Mid-America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky and will be available beginning June 1, 2013.
Lyle Jensen, American Power Group Corporation’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We expect the 2013 Fitzgerald/APG Dual Fuel Glider to become one of most innovative and exciting new Class 8 vehicles on the road with 20%-30% lower net fuel costs as compared to standard diesel engines and up to 70% lower annual maintenance costs.”
Jensen added, “The introduction of a Dual Fuel Glider, coupled with the resources provided by a Fitzgerald/WheelTime Network/APG collaboration, could be the game-changer that accelerates the transition of Class 8 truck fleets to natural gas as an alternative fuel.”
The benefits: no loss of power and torque, significant net fuel savings (fuel mileage of up to 7 miles per gallon), significantly lower post-install maintenance costs, lower gaseous emissions, and elimination of drivability hassles associated with maintaining diesel exhaust fluid levels and regeneration drive cycles, Jensen explains.
Fitzgerald Glider
Fitzgerald works with Freightliner and offers a variety of new model year Columbia and Coronado cab options. Fitzgerald assembles gliders with rebuilt Detroit Series 60 12.7 liter engines from the WheelTime Network and re-manufactured transmissions from Eaton Fuller.
APG will secure “EPA OUL Approval” (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency – Outside Useful Life Approval) for the Detroit Series 60 engine family in accordance with the EPA Clean Alternative Fuel Vehicle and Engine Conversion Regulations.
The initial purchase price is typically 25% lower than a new diesel truck, and it comes with a three-year, 300,000 mile warranty on both the engine and transmission.
APG Dual Fuel Add-On Option
APG will market and service the APG Dual Fuel Add-On Option through its recently announced national WheelTime Network Authorized Dealer Network of nearly 200 service centers, 2,800 service bays and 3,000 factory-trained technicians.
The APG system displaces a large percent of diesel with either CNG or LNG, uses normal diesel oil, allows a vehicle to retain existing diesel maintenance cycles, and offers a 300-800 mile dual fuel range with no loss of power and torque, depending on the route profile and tank configuration.
Mr. Jensen concluded, “In addition to providing fleet owners the opportunity to convert and upgrade their existing diesel fleet to APG’s dual fuel technology, we now offer fleets a viable path to new natural gas vehicles.”
(Source: American Power Group, Inc.)
