Cummins gives B5 biodiesel green light
COLUMBUS, Ind. -- Cummins has reaffirmed its support of biodiesel fuel as a means to potentially improve air quality and reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil through increased use of renewable fuel sources. Cummins has approved use of B5 biodiesel (5 percent biodiesel; 95 percent petroleum diesel fuel mix) for use in its full line of on- and off-highway engines. The company is also is supporting DaimlerChrysler in its recently announced development program to approve the use of B20 (20 percent biodiesel) fuel in select Dodge Ram trucks for the 2007 model year. Initially, DaimlerChrysler will approve B20 fuel for use in certain Cummins-powered Ram trucks sold to military, government and commercial fleet customers. DaimlerChrysler and Cummins also are part of a research partnership working on a national fuel standard that would make B20 an option for all Dodge Ram diesels. While considerable research remains to be done to establish consistent national standards for production of biodiesel fuels, B5 fuel generally is considered effective in on-highway engine applications where pure petroleum diesel fuel currently is used, the company says. More information on biodiesel and other clean diesel technologies can be found at the Diesel Technology Forum web site.