Kalmar Ottawa readies new generation of emissions compliant terminal tractors

Since 2012, Kalmar Ottawa has produced more than 1,500 trucks that conform to EPA’s Tier 4 Interim (Tier 4i) emissions requirements, exceeding the agency’s production mandate. The company is now aiming to be the first North American terminal tractor manufacturer to bring a Tier 4 Final truck to market in 2015.

Kalmar Ottawa terminal tractors that meet the standard are equipped with Cummins QSB6.7 engines. Tier 4i-compliant trucks put 90% less particulate matter and 45 percent less nitrous oxide (NOx) into the air than those equipped with engines meeting EPA’s phased-out Tier 3 standard. Kalmar Ottawa trucks that meet the Tier 4 Final requirements will cut NOx emissions by 90% compared to Tier 3 engines, the company stated.

The Cummins QSB6.7 engines, specifically designed to meet the Tier 4i emissions standard also deliver improved fuel economy, Kalmar Ottawa noted. A Tier 4i truck in its lineup, for example, uses three percent less fuel than one equipped with a Tier 3 engine, and similar savings are projected for those equipped with Tier 4 Final engines.

Geotab Connect, HDAW, TMC, Work Truck Week—It's been a busy start to the year here at Fleet Equipment. From tires to tech, connectivity to components, there's a list of topics that we've covered as companies look to deliver new products throughout this year, and beyond.

What have been some of the key themes so far? If you guessed EVs, you'd be right... sort of. While the race to the electrified future is always top of mind when talking about industry developments, this year, another big "E" took center stage, and that is efficiency. Many companies seem to be focusing on improving current generation technology to make sure fleets can get the most out of the money they've invested in their trucks.