VANCOUVER, BC – Westport Innovations Inc., which specializes in alternative-fuel technologies, said it has entered into an agreement with Caterpillar Inc. to evaluate direct injection, natural gas fuel system technologies for possible use on Caterpillar’s large engines. 

As part of the agreement, the companies will combine their respective technologies and components to develop a fuel system that will be evaluated on a multi-cylinder test engine. Through this evaluation project, Westport and Caterpillar hope to demonstrate that the integration of their respective direct injection, natural gas technologies can deliver the high performance and high efficiency requirements that large engine applications demand. 

Under the terms of the agreement, the evaluation should be completed in 2012, with program expenses shared by both Caterpillar and Westport.

"We are excited to work with Caterpillar, the world’s leading manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas engines, industrial gas turbines and diesel-electric locomotives," said Bruce Hodgins, vice president of market development at Westport Innovations. "This is a significant opportunity for both companies to demonstrate the viability of direct injection natural gas technology on large engines.”

“Caterpillar looks forward to working with Westport, a global leader in alternative-fuel technologies, to evaluate how we may combine our respective technologies to enhance customer value in the markets we serve,” added M. Lou Balmer-Millar, product manager for Caterpillar Fuel Systems.

Caterpillar high horsepower engines are used in a variety of applications worldwide.