south Coast AQMD Rule 1193 requires that waste collection companies who purchase new refuse collection vehicles purchase alternative fuel vehicles. The MSRC, through their Clean Transportation Funding On-Road heavy-Duty Vehicle Program, provides funding incentives for vehicles that go "above and beyond" AQMD Rule requirements. The use of clean natural gas in lieu of diesel fuel results in reduced particulate matter emissions as well as lower ozone precursor emissions; this is especially important for refuse collection vehicles operating in residential areas.
Waste Management of the Desert purchased six (6) Autocar trucks, two (2) Freightliner trucks, and two (2) Peterbilt refuse collection trucks. All ten vehicles are equipped with the Cummins L Gas Plus 320 horsepower CNG engine. An on-site CNG station provides overnight refueling for the vehicles.
The objective of this project was to purchase ten (10) new residential and commercial refuse collection vehicles. The vehicles use compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel and produce lower levels of exhaust pollution as compared to a comparable diesel fueled vehicle. The vehicles are equiped with CNG engines certified by the California Air Resources Board at levels below the Optional low-NOx standards; these engines also are cleaner than those required under South Coast AQMD Rule 1193.
The use of alternative fuel, including natural gas, is applicable to all refuse collection companies operating within the South Coast AQMD and in many cases is required under AQMD Rule 1193.
All vehicles are currently operating in revenue service. Initial maintenance has been greater than that experienced with diesel fleet vehicles. In addition, the cost of natural gas fuel has been higher for the CNG trucks as compared to the more efficient diesel engine vehicles.
All ten vehicles were procured and placed into service as of February 2006.
Freightliner Truck Company; Autocar Truck Company; Peterbilt Truck Company; Wittke Body Company; McNeilius Body Company; and Clean Energy.