Power Solutions International Inc. (PSI; Wood Dale, Ill.) announced Oct. 21 that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (CARB) have certified the company’s new 8.8-liter ultra-low nitrogen oxide (NOx) emission propane engine for the transportation market.

Produced in collaboration with Navistar’s IC Bus brand, the engine is certified to a NOx emission standard of 0.02 grams per brake horsepower (g/bhp-hr), making it one of the cleanest propane engines available on the market. The 8.8-liter engine is certified beyond the EPA’s strictest emission standards and also exceeds CARB’s optional low NOx standard for heavy-duty engines.

“PSI is proud to support the growth of our customer IC Bus, which first introduced the 8.8-liter propane engine in 2015,” PSI CEO John Miller says. “We continue to make advancements to our 8.8-liter engine, which is clean burning and unmatched in power and performance in the transportation industry.”

The new engine offers 270 horsepower with 565 lb-ft of torque, comparable to PSI’s existing propane engines. The company will continue to offer its conventional 8.8-liter propane engine as well as the new ultra-low NOx version. The ultra-low NOx engine will power IC school buses. Production is anticipated early next year.

The ultra-low NOx 8.8-liter engine reaffirms PSI’s commitment to producing clean-running high performance power systems for the transportation industry. For the past few years, PSI and IC Bus have worked together on propane- and gasoline-powered alternatives to diesel school buses in an effort to reduce NOx emissions. NOx emissions are known to be harmful to humans and the environment and contribute to ozone, smog, and other air quality issues.

“IC Bus is proud to once again collaborate with PSI to bring a clean, powerful, high-quality alternative fuel engine to the school bus industry,” said Trish Reed, vice president and general manager of IC Bus.

SOURCE: The Weekly Propane Newsletter, October 22, 2020. Weekly Propane Newsletter subscribers receive all the latest posted and spot prices from major terminals and refineries around the U.S. delivered to inboxes every week. Receive a center spread of posted prices with hundreds of postings updated each week, along with market analysis, insightful commentary, and much more not found elsewhere.