Heavy-duty trucking customers seeking optimal on-board fuel storage, high-performance natural gas engines, and reliable fueling now have more options with a new joint marketing program announced March 19 by Westport Innovations Inc. and Clean Energy Fuels in Louisville, Ky., home of the Mid-America Truck Show (MATS).

To encourage the use of natural gas vehicles and the establishment of the growing fueling infrastructure across North America, the companies will bundle the Westport LNG Tank System — optimized for use with the Cummins Westport ISL G or the new Cummins Westport ISX12 G engines —and a long-term fuel contract with Clean Energy into a package for qualified customers.

The program is designed to achieve the following goals:

• Deliver an attractive payback for truck customers utilizing the Cummins Wesport ISL G or ISX12 G engine with a Westport LNG Tank System.

• Establish availability of long-term refueling contracts at a savings to diesel for Clean Energy customers.

• Establish a strong market for natural gas trucks with additional conveniently located liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations for customers.

"We know that customers are looking for efficient solutions that will allow them to take advantage of the long term savings and environmental benefits that natural gas will bring for their fleets," said James Harger, chief marketing officer, Clean Energy. "Collectively, we can help get them on the road quickly and economically, while building out America's Natural Gas Highway."

Clean Energy has already completed 70 natural gas fueling stations as part of America's Natural Gas Highway, which will allow long-haul trucks to travel across all major corridors through the United States, and has more stations in development.

The Westport LNG Tank System is currently available in limited quantities for customer trials, and can be ordered now with commercial quantities available in September 2013. It operates on either cold or warm LNG and is expected to provide customers with the ability to fuel even the largest spark-ignited engines on a single or dual 120 gallon tank, and deliver extended range and hold times while operating on cold LNG. Attendees to MATS are invited to view the Westport LNG Tank System which will be on display at the Clean Energy booth.

"The interest and demand is high for both the new Westport LNG Tank System and the Cummins Westport ISX12 G," said Steve Anderson, vice president of business development for Westport. "This collaborative program allows us to give customers a good opportunity to invest in the most advanced natural gas engine and fuel storage technology."