Cummins natural gas aftertreatment cuts costs and eliminates maintenance, meets 2027 emissions
Cummins' simplified three-way catalyst system on natural gas engines delivers no routine maintenance, weight savings, and compliance with future emissions standards.
- 150 lbs
- 99%
- 60%
What Happened
Cummins' three-way catalyst aftertreatment on its X15N, ISX12N, L9N, and 6.7N natural gas engines requires no routine service, unlike diesel systems that depend on diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) sensors and diesel particulate filter (DPF) maintenance. The system has been improved with better air-fuel ratio control and a wide-band oxygen sensor for more precise emissions reduction.
up to 150 poundslbs
The X15N aftertreatment is lighter than diesel, contributing to a roughly 500-pound total weight reduction versus the X15 diesel engine.
over 99%
The three-way catalyst reduces nitrous oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide without DEF or DPF cleaning.
“It's meant to last for the life of the vehicle. It doesn't have a maintenance or a replacement period. It takes up less space, it is lighter and you just forget that it is there for the most part.”
Why this matters
Fleets can reduce downtime and fuel costs by switching to natural gas, which avoids diesel exhaust fluid and particulate filter maintenance while meeting strict 2027 regulations.
Terms in This Story
- three-way catalyst
- An aftertreatment device that removes nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons, and carbon monoxide from exhaust.
- NOx
- Nitrogen oxides, pollutants that contribute to smog and acid rain.
- DEF
- Diesel exhaust fluid, a urea solution used in diesel engines to reduce NOx emissions.
- DPF
- Diesel particulate filter, a device that traps soot from diesel exhaust.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.