Trucking news and briefs for Thursday, April 27, 2023:
Werner Enterprises (CCJ Top 250, No. 13) announced multiple initiatives to enhance its sustainability efforts.
The company announced Tuesday it will join Walmart as one of the first fleets to test and validate the 2023 X15N Cummins natural gas engine in its fleet. Werner is one of the few carriers that have started testing the newest engine technology with natural gas, with a goal to achieve a 55% reduction in carbon emissions by 2035.
“As a top five truckload carrier in North America, we are committed to implementing sustainability initiatives creating long-lasting and industry-wide impacts,” said Werner’s Chairman, President and CEO Derek Leathers. “These vehicles can greatly reduce emissions when running renewable natural gas and we are eager and willing to help validate this new technology.”
The new 15-liter Cummins engine is built on a global Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) platform by Cummins and will be tested in the market through the Peterbilt Model 579. Cummins anticipates production of the X15N in 2024.
“Testing the new X15N with Werner Enterprises is a natural step in our ever-evolving relationship with one of the nation’s largest truckload fleets as we continue to work together on new technologies,” said Puneet Jhawar, General Manager – Global Spark Ignited and Fuel Delivery System Business. “We are excited to put Cummins’ next generation natural gas-powertrain through the rigor of Werner’s structured testing and validation process to deliver a world-class product for our full production start in early 2024.”
Additionally, Werner announced Wednesday its first two Freightliner eCascadia battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) are officially transporting freight in Southern California.
