Cummins recently received unconditional certification for its heavy-duty ISM engine from the Environmental Protection Agency. The approval certifies that the ISM complies with the strict emission standards that became effective Oct. 1. The agency also issued Volvo Truckers North America conditional approval of its VED 12 diesel engine.
The ISM certification gives Cummins customers a complete line of certified and compliant heavy-duty engines to choose from, without concern for paying penalties,” said Thomas Kieffer, Cummins executive director of marketing. “The ISM utilizes the same cooled exhaust gas recirculation subsystem design used on the ISX and ISB engines.”
The proven 11-liter ISM engine, with horsepower ranging from 280 to 385, complements the Cummins ISX product in meeting the needs of short-haul trucking, vocational and bus customers. Cummins also will offer the ISM in a restricted 400-hp and 450-hp for bus, recreational vehicle and fire truck applications.
This heavy-duty engine is included in Cummins’ Uptime Guarantee program, in which the company guarantees that if any part on a customer’s ISX or ISM engine fails and can’t be repaired within a 24-hour period, Cummins will reimburse the costs of a rental vehicle. It applies to Cummins ISX and ISM engines purchased between Oct. 1, 2002, and March 31, 2003, with coverage from the date of purchase through Dec. 31, 2003.
While Volvo was issued a conditional certificate by the EPA a final certification is expected once the agency completes its formal review process, Volvo said.
“Our testing has shown that when paired with the new Volvo VN highway tractor, Volvo’s VED12 engine will not only meet the new emissions requirements, but also deliver industry-leading fuel economy and performance,” said Susan Alt, vice president of marketing.
The new Volvo VN Class 8 trucks introduced in August are the industry’s only trucks designed to be fully integrated with the new engines. Volvo’s testing showed that in certain applications, operators of the new VN should experience only a zero to 2 percent decrease in fuel economy.
