~ Supports new standards for greenhouse gas
emissions & fuel efficiency ~
VANCOUVER, Aug. 23, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - Westport Fuel
Systems Inc. ("Westport Fuel Systems") (TSX:WPT /
Nasdaq:WPRT) provides the next generation natural gas engine and
vehicle technology solutions to comply with the recently announced
standards for greenhouse gas ("GHG") emissions and fuel
efficiency.
Last week the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
("EPA") and the Department of Transportation's National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration ("NHTSA") jointly
released the Phase 2 GHG emissions and fuel efficiency standards
for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. These rules are the product of
nearly two years of extensive consultation with industry partners
and set a high standard for the freight sector.
"We commend the joint efforts of the EPA and NHTSA to develop an
equitable Phase 2 Rule that will deliver significant environmental
and economic benefits to 2027," said Jim
Arthurs, Executive Vice President, Medium- & Heavy-Duty
Truck Strategies of Westport Fuel Systems. "Freight transport by
road is a vital part of the North American economy but also a major
source of GHG emissions. The new EPA/NHTSA rules for GHG emissions
and fuel efficiency from medium- and heavy-duty trucks will create
a new competitive dynamic in the trucking industry. Westport Fuel
Systems is well-positioned to deliver best-in-class engines and
vehicles that meet increasingly stringent regulatory
frameworks."
Next generation natural gas engines and vehicles including
Westport High Pressure Direct Injection 2.0 ("Westport™ HPDI
2.0") and Enhanced Spark Ignition ("Westport™ ESI")
technologies comply with the new rule and offer significant GHG
emission reduction benefits through the combination of low-carbon
fuels and high-efficiency engines. In particular, Westport™ HPDI
2.0 has been proven to deliver diesel-like performance and fuel
efficiency while providing a reduction in GHG emissions of 18-20%
compared to current diesel engines.
The movement towards reduced GHG emissions and increased fuel
efficiency is not restricted to the U.S. market. In an interview
published in the July 2016 issue of
lastauto omnibus magazine (a leading German transportation
magazine), AVL's representative stated that the European original
equipment manufacturers will not be able to avoid implementing HPDI
technology in order to fulfill GHG limit values. AVL believes this
is a significant reason for vehicle manufacturers' high interest in
HPDI technology. AVL List GmbH is one of the world's leading
powertrain engineering firms.
Westport Fuel Systems believes that the cost advantage of
natural gas will increase. According to industry estimates, full
compliance with the proposed standards will add several thousand
dollars to the cost of vehicles running on conventional
fuels.
"As GHG rules tighten, natural gas fueled vehicles may cost less
than compliant conventional fuel vehicles, creating a compelling
economic argument even without factoring in fuel savings. Fleet
owners can focus on the environmental benefits of natural gas
vehicles now and reap the economic benefits in the future," said
Arthurs.
About Westport Fuel Systems
Westport Fuel Systems engineers, manufactures and supplies the
world's most advanced alternative fuel systems and components. More
than that, we are fundamentally changing the way the world travels
the roads, rails and seas. Our innovative and cost-effective
solutions maintain performance while improving efficiency and
reducing emissions. Offering a variety of leading brands for
transportation and industrial applications, we serve customers in
over 70 countries, including some of the world's largest and
fastest growing markets. To learn more about our business, visit
westport.com.
SOURCE Westport Fuel Systems Inc.