Westport receives Australian Certification of 2008 LNG Engine::Over 100,000 kms achieved in demonstration fleet

published: February 8, 2008

VANCOUVER, BC – Westport Innovations Inc. (TSX:WPT), a global leader in gaseous-fuelled power technologies, announced today that following successful engine testing, the Australian Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government has certified Westport’s High Pressure Direct Injection (HPDI) liquefied natural gas (LNG) fuel system adapted to the 2008 Cummins ISX heavy-duty engine to the 2008 Australian Design Rules (ADR 80/02 and ADR 30/01).

In associated news, four Kenworth trucks equipped with Westport’s LNG fuel system have achieved over 100,000 kilometres in commercial service to the end of 2007 in a demonstration project funded in part by the Australian Government’s Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme (AFCP). Fleets participating in the project, which runs through March 31, 2008, are Murray Goulburn Co-operative, Sands Fridge Lines, and Mitchell Corp.

“This certification is an important step to allow sales of new LNG vehicles in the Australian market with Westport’s direct injection natural gas technology,” said Bruce Hodgins, Vice President of Market Development for Westport. “We are now working towards commercial launch and customer deliveries of Westport-equipped heavy-duty trucks.”

Westport has also established an Australian entity, Westport Innovations (Australia) Pty Ltd, that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Westport Innovations.

Testing of the Australian HPDI engine at Westport’s facilities and a Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government registered facility validated impressive greenhouse gas tailpipe reductions of 24% to 28% on the composite steady-state test (ESC) and transient (FTP) cycles. Regulated emissions were well within the ADR 80/02 limits, and particulate matter (PM) was reduced 54% and 40% relative to the 2008 ISX diesel on the FTP and ESC cycles, respectively.

The HPDI-equipped engine provides power, torque, and fuel economy equivalent to the base diesel engine at the ISX485, ISX525, and ISX550 ratings used in Australia. These ratings offer maximum torque of 1650-1850 lb-ft and maximum power of 500-580 hp. On-road data from the field trial trucks have confirmed high natural gas fuel substitution ratios, with only 4% to 6% energy provided by the pilot diesel fuel.
Customers in Australia can order the Westport direct injection LNG system today for selected truck configurations, with deliveries anticipated to begin in the fourth quarter of calendar 2008.

About Westport’s direct injection LNG system for heavy duty trucks

Westport's LNG system for heavy-duty trucks offers class-leading greenhouse gas reductions and power ratings, with compelling operating economics of LNG fuelling. Based on the 2008 Cummins ISX diesel engine with cooled EGR, Westport’s LNG version of the engine offers the same horsepower, torque, and fuel efficiency as the base diesel engine it replaces, with ratings up to 1850 lb-ft torque and 580 peak horsepower. The Westport direct injection LNG system comprises proprietary LNG fuel tanks, fuel injectors, cryogenic fuel pumps and associated electronic components to facilitate robust performance in demanding operating conditions.

About the Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme (AFCP)

The Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme is an Australian Government funded programme which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heavy commercial vehicles such as buses and trucks by encouraging increased use of alternative fuels or hybrid diesel/electric engines. The programme encourages commercial fleet operators to trial new technologies and to demonstrate their feasibility to the wider transport industry. The AFCP allows the Australian trucking industry to explore whether the potential environmental and economic advantages of natural gas can be demonstrated in Australia’s harsh operating environment. www.climatechange.gov.au/transport