OEM Westport™ HPDI vehicles now competitively priced with SI-based systems
Westport Innovations Inc. has unveiled its next generation of high pressure direct injection (HPDI) technology platform dubbed “Westport™ HPDI 2.0.” This new generation of natural gas technology will provide global vehicle and engine original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a vertically integrated natural gas solution with breakthrough price, performance, and fuel economy.
Westport, developer of advanced natural gas engines and vehicles, says HPDI 2.0 system components offer ready integration into OEM operations globally and provide an attractive way to reach scalable volume deliveries as natural gas markets mature and grow.
“Where performance, emissions and efficiency matter, HPDI 2.0 offers benefits that will be irresistible to fleet customers shifting to natural gas in their operations,” said David Demers, CEO of Westport. “As the potential for natural gas is now apparent in all global vehicle and off-road markets, HPDI 2.0 will allow OEMs to introduce high performance, fully integrated products that match state of the art diesel performance, but can be produced without expensive and challenging investments in facilities, product development, and testing.”
Westport is now working with seven OEM applications with engine sizes ranging from trucks to trains at various stages of development with the goal of vertically integrated Westport™ HPDI 2.0 OEM product lines.
Background on Westport HPDI
Westport describes the HPDI 2.0 system as the only natural gas technology capable of delivering performance and fuel economy equivalent to that of current high performance diesel-fueled engines, but with diesel substitution of over 90%. This combination of high performance and high efficiency is critical for heavy-duty engines in demanding commercial applications.
Westport HPDI will allow diesel customers to switch to natural gas, which is much cheaper than diesel fuel in most parts of the world, without sacrificing performance or energy efficiency. Engines incorporating Westport HPDI 2.0 technology are engineered to be as similar to diesel-fueled versions as possible, minimizing capital investment and operational changes in the field.
Higher energy efficiency simply means less fuel burned, resulting in operator cost-savings and lower greenhouse gas emissions. The compression ratio of an engine with Westport HPDI is the same as the diesel engine on which it is based, which results in fewer changes to engine components and preservation of the fuel economy benefits associated with high compression.
Westport™ HPDI uses natural gas as the primary fuel along with a small amount of diesel as an ignition source. The two fuels are not pre-mixed with the intake air before they enter the combustion chamber so there is no risk of engine knock and therefore no need to lower the compression ratio and peak torque output. As compared to diesel fuel, directly injected natural gas burns with a lower adiabatic flame temperature and has a low propensity to the formation of carbon particles and therefore offers inherent nitrous oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions benefits that provide more product engineering flexibility to allow powertrain designers to increase potential performance and customer value.
Animation of how Westport™ HPDI combustion works can be found on Westport’s website.
Exclusive Westport™ HPDI 2.0 systems features include:
- Optimization of combustion and higher efficiency
- Proprietary HPDI 2.0 dual common rail fuel injector
- Proprietary on-engine gas fuel conditioning module
- Redesigned electronic control systems
- Improved components at lower cost
- High transient performance with integrated fuel storage and delivery systems
- Engine braking power equivalent to that of diesel engines
- Complete compatibility with state of the art commercial vehicles today
- Improved emissions profile: meets Euro VI and EPA 2014, no methane aftertreatment
- Compliance and certification to applicable safety standards in North America and their equivalents in Europe
- Heat rejection: more power, less heat
- Proprietary liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks
- New proprietary intelligent LNG fuel pump
- CNG capability
Overall, Westport™ HPDI 2.0 will provide a compelling combination of diesel-like power, torque, fuel efficiency, and engine braking performance in a natural gas engine—making it ideal for almost all commercial freight applications.
Migration Path for HPDI 1.0
Westport first generation HPDI systems have been delivered on more than 1,200 Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks since its first wide-scale introduction in 2010. As noted in previous news releases and customer communication, Westport is committed to the continuation of its class-leading support for all our existing customers with the first generation of HPDI.
In partnership with Peterbilt and Kenworth dealers, Westport will be able to offer compatible next generation system features to our existing customers, as some HPDI 2.0 components are applicable to first generation HPDI. The benefits are expected to be reduced costs, improved components, and increased durability and performance. For customers, further information is available from your Westport representative.
Pricing and Availability
For the first time, Westport expects OEM Westport™ HPDI vehicles to be competitively priced with SI-based systems.
Westport™ HPDI 2.0 is in development now with a number of global OEMs and Westport anticipates first availability of customer products in late 2014 and 2015.
(Source: Westport)
