Roush CleanTech is the first propane autogas fuel system manufacturer to receive the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) and California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) heavy duty-onboard diagnostics certification for all its engines, the company announced.

Until the 2018 model-year, alternative-fuel vehicles had been exempt from this certification, but are now held to the same requirements as gasoline vehicles.

“Vehicles powered by a fuel other than gasoline or diesel should no longer be considered an alternative,” said Todd Mouw, president. “As shown by the regulatory agencies decisions to require all fuels in its HD-OBD certification, propane autogas, and others like compressed natural gas are moving into the mainstream.”

This certification will highly benefit fleets. "This certification is critical as we will be able to continue to offer our products (continuity) as regulatory requirements get more stringent. This certification gives our customers and prospects the confidence that we will be there to support them and that they have selected the right partner as they continue to enjoy the cost and emissions reduction benefits of a propane autogas fleet," Mouw said.

This HD-OBD certification applies to all vehicles over 14,000-pounds GVWR. The onboard monitors now track and report out the continuing compliance of the emissions performance of the vehicle, as they have since 2016 for gasoline vehicles.

"Getting this certification was an expensive and complicated endeavor, and it provides Roush CleanTech another level of differentiation from other technology providers. Most importantly, if it makes our customers more confident in the long-term viability of our technology and company, that’s a growth driver for Roush CleanTech.

All of Roush CleanTech’s propane autogas-fueled vehicles with Ford 6.8-liter two-valve and three-valve V-10 engines, including medium-duty fleet vehicles and school buses, are covered under the CARB HD-OBD certification. The three-valve engine is also the first and only propane autogas engine available in Class 4-7 vehicles certified to the optional low nitrogen oxide level of 0.05 g/bhp-hr.

Editor's note: Story has been updated to correct the reference to Ford's 6.8-liter V-10 engine.