Paper Transport recently unveiled the latest in its continuing move toward a more green fleet – the first full-production Kenworth T680 equipped with a natural gas engine. “We continue our move toward a more environmentally conscious fleet operation by replacing our diesel-fueled trucks with Kenworth’s most aerodynamic model powered by compressed natural gas (CNG),” said Jeff Shefchik, president of Paper Transport. “This first full-production Kenworth T680 powered by CNG represents our first truly aerodynamic CNG truck in a sleeper configuration.”
Paper Transport unveiled the new Kenworth T680 to about 200 employees and their family members at the annual company picnic at its headquarters in Green Bay, Wis. The truck is equipped with a 400-hp Cummins Westport ISX12 G engine.
Several years ago Paper Transport adopted natural gas as part of its business strategy to replace 25 percent of the diesel-powered units in its truck fleet with trucks running on CNG. Shefchik said his company has since reached that goal due in part to the 20 Kenworth T660s powered by CNG-fueled Cummins Westport ISX12 G engines Kenworth delivered through local dealer Wisconsin Kenworth last year.
“Now we’re looking to add Kenworth T680s with more advanced aerodynamic features as part of our effort to stay ahead of competitors, who have just started tests of natural gas-powered trucks in response to requests from shippers,” Shefchik said.
“We’ve been operating trucks with natural gas-powered engines for a number of years and getting this Kenworth T680 with improved aerodynamics and the new back of cab fuel system represents the next big step,” Shefchik said.
Besides being the first fleet to take delivery of a Kenworth T680 with a 400-hp Cummins Westport ISX12 G engine, the company is also looking to accomplish some other firsts.
Paper Transport wants to become the first among fleets that have already adopted natural gas, to take full advantage of additional fuel economy savings the Kenworth T680’s aerodynamics offers. Generally, natural gas costs Paper Transport about $1.70 less per diesel gallon equivalent of natural gas than what it pays for diesel fuel, shaving about 3 cents per mile off its operating costs, or about $3,300 per truck. While the price spread between diesel and natural gas is currently narrower, Shefchik believes it will widen.
“We believe the long-term potential of natural gas in providing savings over the cost of diesel is there because natural gas is a more domestically produced energy source,” he said. “Plus, we can get savings not only from the T680’s improved aerodynamic features, but also from how the natural gas tanks are off the frame rails and are now placed at the back of the cab. That back-of-cab placement is a more efficient use of space and will produce far less drag on the truck.
Paper Transport has equipped its Kenworth T680 with 76-inch sleeper with Agility Fuel System’s new 155-gallon diesel gallon equivalent behind-the-cab compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system. The Agility system utilizes four 26-inch by 80-inch Hexagon-Lincoln Type 4 cylinders, weighs only 2,550 pounds and requires only 31.25 inches of frame rail space. It can deliver a range of about 600 miles before refueling, which offers the industry’s best DGE per inch of frame rail.
The Kenworth T680 in day cab, 52-inch mid-roof sleeper and 76-inch sleeper configurations can be specified with the factory-installed Cummins Westport ISX12 G natural gas engine rated up to 400 hp and 1,450 lb-ft of torque.
(Source: Kenworth Trucks)
