Arakelian Enterprises, dba Athens Services, performs waste collection and transfer services on a contract basis for cities within the South Coast AQMD. In accordance with AQMD Rule 1193, Arakelian is required to purchase alternative fuel vehicles when replacing fleet vehicles or expanding their fleet. The MSRC, using their Clean Transportation Funds, offers incentives for the purchase of clean fuel vehicles that go above and beyond AQMD mandated requirements.
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Arakelian selected the Peterbilt Model 320 refuse truck equipped with the Cummins 8.3 G Plus LNG engine. This engine is certified by the California Air Resources Board at the Optional Low NOx+NMHC standard. Fourteen (14) vehicles were purchased under this project.
Arakelian Enterprises purchased fourteen (14) liquefied natural gas (LNG) refuse collection vehicles, replacing fourteen older diesel powered waste haulers. The objectives of the project were to: - reduce the use of diesel fuel; - promote domesticly produced alternative fuels; - improve air quality by eliminating toxic air contaminants; - leverage other funding sources to compliment MSRC funding on this project.
When initially received, the LNG trucks experienced performance issues. Higher than anticipated exhaust temperatures necessitated the need to install thermal blankets. Also, fuel line and fuel valve failures occured on a frequent basis; these were specific to the fuel system manufacturer and not related to the Cummins LNG engine. Peterbilt, the vehicle chassis manufacturer, is working with the fuel system provider to correct these issues. The exhaust temperature issue has been resolved.
The vehicles were received in October 2005 and underwent acceptance testing at the company's facility in the City of Industry. The fourteen vehicles were placed into revenue service in the City of West Hollywood in November 2005 and have been operating successfully for the past ten months.