Natural gas engines developer Westport Innovations Inc. has entered into an agreement with Indian automobile company Tata Motors to develop an engine for light- and medium-duty trucks and buses. Details of the combustion technology are being withheld for competitive reasons.
“Westport is developing a next generation engine technology for integration into a new engine platform with Tata Motors,” said Nicholas Sonntag, Executive Vice President, Westport Innovations. “This is a great opportunity to work with India’s largest engine manufacturer in a fast-growing marketplace demanding cost effective and environmentally conscious solutions. Our development schedule is accelerated and we believe it can be accomplished given the substantive market size and interest in natural gas vehicles in India.”
Upon successful completion of the development phase, commercialization is expected to follow, with Westport supplying key natural gas engine components based on the proprietary technology being developed in this program.
Mr. Ravi Pisharody, Executive Director – Commercial Vehicles Business Unit of Tata Motors, said, “As national CNG and LNG fueling infrastructure continues to develop a need for innovative, low cost, reliable technologies natural gas will emerge. Tata Motors is already in the forefront in this area.”
(This article compiled using information from a Westport Innovations press release)
