Natural gas burns cleanly because it has more hydrogen and less carbon than liquid motor fuels. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is typically stored at a pressure of up to 3,600 pounds per square inch in one or more on-board fuel tanks. Natural gas, long used for home heating, cooking, and electric power generation and one of the world's safest and most abundant sources of primary energy, is beginning to make inroads into the vehicle market.

Greening the streets of Beijing

The Chinese government has adopted tough new environmental regulations governing auto emissions, water quality and industrial and solid waste pollution that will be phased in gradually by 2007. Cummins CNG engines exceed the Euro II emission level that has been mandated for city buses [in Beijing / across China] beginning in 2003.

In 1999, the Beijing Public Transportation Corporation (BPTC) purchased 300 Cummins CNG-powered buses for its public transit fleet. Today, Beijing has one of the largest CNG bus fleet in the world, with around 2,000 CNG buses in operation on the streets of Beijing. These buses account for a significant and growing portion of the 11,000 buses Beijing's 13 million inhabitants rely on to move around the city. By 2008, 90 percent of Beijing's buses will utilize clean natural gas energy. Cummins and Cummins Westport look forward to continuing the successful partnership with the BPTC to help the city meet this goal.

Excellent performance, proven track record

Cummins Westport CNG engines utilize advanced technology for increased efficiency, durability, reliability and noise control. In the United States, CNG buses began operating more than ten years ago and now represent a noticeable proportion of transit fleets. A total of 40 low-emissions buses with Cummins Westport natural gas engines will see service in Salt Lake City during the Olympic games. Cummins Westport Inc. is also field testing a new and more powerful natural gas engine for heavy-duty 18-wheel highway trucks, with commercial introduction expected in less than two years. Cummins Westport natural gas engines meet stringent new emissions regulations and can provide fuel savings where natural gas is less than diesel fuel.

Partnership for production

Cummins Westport CNG engines demonstrate Cummins' commitment to developing local solutions that will help China achieve its environmental objectives. After the CNG engines are manufactured at Cummins Rocky Mount, NC plant, they are shipped to China, where they are installed by Beijing Public Transportation Corporation.

Comprehensive local service, training and aftermarket support

Cummins Engine (Beijing) Co. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Cummins, is a fully equipped local provider of parts, training, maintenance and service for Cummins CNG engines in use across China.