• FAQ: The Use of Biodiesel with Cummins Automotive Engines

FAQ: The Use of Biodiesel with Cummins Automotive Engines
Issued: 05/23/05
Interest in reducing national dependency on petroleum-based fuels has led to increased
attention on biodiesel as a renewable, “alternative” non-petroleum based fuel for diesel
engines. This FAQ sheet addresses some of the questions regarding its use with Cummins
automotive engines in North America:
1. Which Cummins engines can be used with biodiesel?
2. Some vehicles already using higher than B5 - is this okay?
3. What's preventing you from moving to B20 and above?
4. Will your 2007 engines be biodiesel capable?
5. Is biodiesel more environmentally-friendly than standard diesel?
6. What fuel specifications are in place for biodiesel?
7. How does using biodiesel affect your engine warranty?
8. What is Cummins position on alternative fuels?
9. Are there any biodiesel mandatory requirements on the horizon?
1. Which Cummins engines can be used with biodiesel?
Cummins has completed evaluations which enable us to confirm that B5 biodiesel blend
is suitable for use with the full range of Cummins automotive engines in North America,
covering applications in truck, bus, motorhome and the Dodge Ram pickup truck.
B5 is a fuel blend of 5 percent pure biodiesel with 95 percent standard petroleum diesel.
No modification to the engine is needed to enable it to operate on B5 biodiesel and no
impact on engine performance, durability or maintenance is anticipated with its use.
Users of B5 biodiesel should ensure that the fuel is of a consistent, high quality standard
appropriate for that of a high performance Cummins diesel engine.
2. Some vehicles are already using higher than B5 - is this okay?
Cummins can only confirm at this point that biodiesel no higher than 5 percent blend (B5)
is suitable for use with our engines. We would advise our customers not to use anything
above B5 levels with a Cummins engine until our evaluations are completed.
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3. What's preventing you from moving to B20 and above?
Cummins is evaluating the potential for concentrations of biodiesel higher than 5% for
products to be released in 2006. We are aware of the growing interest in B20 fuel blends
of 20%. As we reach conclusions and the completion of these customer evaluations, we
will modify our position on engine compatibility accordingly.
The main barrier to moving beyond B5 is the lack of an industry agreed fuel standard
for biodiesel in terms of fuel consistency and stability, which has resulted in product
performance issues such as fuel filter plugging. This becomes essential when moving
beyond the relatively low blend level of B5. Our main consideration is to ensure the engine
will continue to offer the same high levels of performance and dependability our customers
expect from Cummins.
4. Will your 2007 engines be biodiesel capable?
Cummins current engine platforms will all move forward to meet the forthcoming 2007
emissions standards in combination with the introduction of Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel
(ULSD) fuel at the 15 ppm level regulated by the EPA. As these engines will be
essentially the same as our current products they will continue to offer B5 biodiesel
capability at 2007. The B5 biodiesel fuel used with our 2007 engines will need to conform
to the same 15ppm sulfur content level as the ULSD fuel to ensure there is no adverse
affect on the Diesel Particulate Filter aftertreatment.
Much of this 2007 interest has focused on using twenty percent B20 biodiesel. With an
agreed fuel specification meeting the necessary quality standard in place, there is an
opportunity for engine companies to aim for this level of compatibility. Cummins is
evaluating the potential for concentrations of biodiesel higher than 5% for our products
ahead of the 2007 emissions timeframe. As we reach conclusions with ongoing evaluations,
we will modify our position on engine compatibility accordingly.
5. Is biodiesel more environmentally-friendly than standard diesel?
In terms of exhaust emissions from the engine, the use of biodiesel at various blend levels
is not yet fully understood. There are indications that PM (Particulate Matter) and HC
(Hydrocarbons) emissions may be reduced - but NOx (Oxides of Nitrogen) levels may be
marginally increased. Therefore the overall exhaust emissions impact of using biodiesel
may prove to be very close to that of using standard diesel. Our engines must meet
stringent EPA emission regulations - and by 2007 this means we will be reducing PM
by 90 percent based on using ULSD fuel.
The major benefit of using biodiesel is that it is environmentally sustainable. As a natural
substance, mostly derived from Soybean and other oil seed crops it is renewable and
biodegradable. Biodiesel also offers an opportunity to reduce the nation's dependency
on imported oil and ensure greater energy security.
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6. What fuel specifications are in place for biodiesel?
The industry is aware of significant variations in biodiesel specifications and quality,
particularly with regard to consistency and fuel stability. As the production and
distribution of biodiesel has grown so dramatically it has outpaced the ability of the
industry to conduct the appropriate engine performance and fuel specification evaluations.
This has been further complicated by the wide variety of blend percentages available.
Cummins is undertaking evaluation programs focused on establishing an agreed industry
standard of biodiesel fuel consistency and quality. The program is running in conjunction
with the National Biodiesel Board (NBB) and the ASTM (American Society for Testing
and Materials).
It should be emphasized that Cummins, in common with all other engine manufacturers,
emission certifies engines only to meet the prescribed EPA (or other local regulatory
agency) registered fuels for on-highway applications. It is the engine user's responsibility
to use the correct fuel prescribed by these regulations and as recommended by the
engine manufacturer.
The EPA has regulated the nation's highway diesel fuel quality since 1993 to ensure it
is compatible with meeting engine emissions standards and air quality goals. It is the
responsibility of the user to obtain the proper local, regional, or national exemptions
required for the use of biodiesel in any emissions regulated Cummins engine.
7. How does using biodiesel affect your engine warranty?
The use of biodiesel does not affect the Cummins materials and workmanship warranty.
However, any engine failure or performance issue caused by the use of biodiesel or
other fuel additives cannot be considered as defects of the Cummins engine, components
or workmanship - and would therefore not be covered by Cummins warranty.
This is no different from our position with any regular diesel fuel. Cummins does not cover
the damage caused by products from other companies that may have insufficient quality.
It is important to ensure when using any diesel fuel or a B5 biodiesel blend with a Cummins
engine that the fuel meets industry acceptable quality standards.
8. What is Cummins position on alternative fuels?
Cummins fully supports the use of environmentally beneficial alternative fuels. Our full
range of truck, bus and RV engines are compatible with operating on B5 biodiesel to help
encourage the greater use of renewable, domestically grown fuel. In May 2005 we announced
B5 biodiesel capability for the Cummins Turbo Diesel available in the popular Dodge Ram
pickup truck, bringing the option of using this fuel to a much wider range of customers.
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We are by far the largest supplier of natural gas fueled engines in North America through
our Cummins Westport joint venture, who are also undertaking important development work
on Hydrogen Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG) engines. Cummins has played a leading
role in the emerging technology of diesel-electric hybrid buses, providing an environmentally
friendly and fuel-efficient solution for transit operations in U.S. cities and national parks
9. Are there any biodiesel mandatory requirements on the horizon?
We understand that several States and municipalities in the US are considering mandating
the use of low level levels of biodiesel in diesel fuel. We are also aware that the Provincial
Government in Ontario, Canada has discussed the possibility of making biodiesel mandatory
for commercial vehicles.
If mandatory requirements are introduced, these must first take into account the need for
biodiesel fuel specifications with agreed consistency and quality standards. Also, at this
point, Cummins cannot confirm the suitability of our engines for biodiesel blends above five
percent (B5).
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