The B20 approval applies to Cummins’ 2002 and later emissions-compliant ISX, ISM, ISC and ISB engines, which are used to power a wide range of vehicles including medium and heavy duty trucks, school buses, and fire and emergency vehicles.
Cummins listed three primary reasons for the upgrade. First, the American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) biodiesel specification now includes a stability specification for B100. Secondly, there is an increase in availability of fuel from BQ-9000 certified marketers and accredited producers. Thirdly, Cummins has completed testing and evaluations to ensure customers can reliably operate equipment using B20.
BQ-9000 is the biodiesel industry’s voluntary fuel quality assurance program. There are six certified marketers and 17 accredited producers, which comprises approximately 40 percent of the biodiesel industry’s production capacity, according to the NBB.
“We have completed exhaustive analysis and test evaluations which enable Cummins to provide the necessary guidance and information to our customers for the proper and successful use of this fuel in our engine,” said Edward Lyford-Pike, Cummins’ chief engineer for Advanced Alternative Fuel Programs. “This will enable our customers to have a choice that includes renewable fuel.”
ASTM is considering a stand-alone B20 blend specification. In fact, recent enhancements to the current B100 standard, ASTM D 6751, may open the door to a B20 specification, according to the National Biodiesel Board (NBB). A March 12 Biodiesel Summit, sponsored in part by DaimlerChrysler, discussed the steps needed to improve B20 acceptance. "Biodiesel represents a huge opportunity to address some of our nation’s toughest energy, environmental and economic challenges,” said Deborah Morrissett, DaimlerChrysler’s vice president of Regulatory Affairs. “We know this is the right thing to do—so the goal now is to develop a national B20 standard that can be universally applied to all diesel vehicles, both on road and in production, to confidently support higher blends of biodiesel such as B20.”
Article Continues After Advertisement
DaimlerChrysler was the first U.S. automaker to specifically approve B20 in a warranty position statement. The company approved the use of B20 in its 2007 model Dodge Ram pickups equipped with Cummins diesel engines. DaimlerChrysler has also used B5 factory fills with several of its vehicle lines.
New Holland approved B20 in its engines, becoming the first original equipment manufacturer to announce full formal support for B20 in the engines it produces.
Cummins is headquartered in Columbus, Ind., and has more than 5,000 dealer locations throughout the world.
“Cummins’s announcement is a major milestone for diesel equipment-maker acceptance of biodiesel,” said NBB Technical Director Steve Howell, who also leads the ASTM task force on biodiesel standards.
Dave Nilles is Online Editor for Biodiesel Magazine. Reach him at dnilles@bbibiofuels.com or (701) 373-0636.
Posted: 8:49 a.m. CDT Thursday, March 22, 2007