Cummins Announces Approval of B20 Biodiesel Blends

http://www.cummins.com/cmi/content.jsp?siteId=1&langId=1033&dataId=1153&newsInfo=true&menuId=4

For Immediate Release
March 21, 2007

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (March 20, 2007) - Cummins Inc. (NYSE: CMI) today announced the approval of biodiesel B20 blends for use in its 2002 and later emissions-compliant ISX, ISM, ISL, ISC and ISB engines. This includes the recently released 2007 products.

Cummins is able to upgrade its previous position on the use of biodiesel fuel, which limited the use to B5 blends only, up to B20 for three key reasons. First, the American Society of Testing Materials specification ASTM D6751 now includes an important stability specification for B100 biodiesel. Second, the availability of quality fuels from BQ-9000 Certified Marketers and Accredited Producers is growing rapidly; and third, Cummins has completed the necessary testing and evaluations to ensure that customers can reliably operate their equipment with confidence using B20 fuel.

'We have completed exhaustive analysis and test evaluations which enable Cummins to provide the necessary guidance and information to our customers for the proper and successful use of this fuel in our engine,' said Edward Lyford-Pike, Chief Engineer - Advanced Alternative Fuel Programs. 'This will enable our customers to have a choice that includes renewable fuel.'

The popularity and use of biodiesel fuel continues to climb. Recent studies predict that, by 2008, 1.2 billion gallons of B100 biodiesel will be produced in the United States. Cummins will continue its efforts to ensure that future products will be compatible with biodiesel fuels, and will continue to participate in industry efforts aimed at the development of consistent quality throughout the biodiesel industry.

Further information about the use of biodiesel for both on-highway and off-highway Cummins products can be found on the Web at everytime.cummins.com.

Cummins Inc., a a global power leader, is a corporation of complementary business units that design, manufacture, distribute and service engines and related technologies, including fuel systems, controls, air handling, filtration, emission solutions and electrical power generation systems. Headquartered in Columbus, Indiana (USA), Cummins serves customers in more than 160 countries through its network of 550 company-owned and independent distributor facilities and more than 5,000 dealer locations. Cummins reported net income of $715 million on sales of $11.4 billion in 2006. Press releases can be found on the Web at cummins.com or everytime.cummins.com.

[SwampYankee]

That's a good sign. Maybe Ford, GM and International will follow. They still caution against using anything stonger than B5.

I really wish I could get something stonger than B1-5 around me. GreenLeaf Bio will drop off a 275gal. tote but I've got no where to keep it and the last time I checked they only had B5 on a limited basis. We go through about 3000 gals. of diesel per year with our work trucks and I'd love to be able to run them on bio-d.

Biodiesel is a helluva lot more viable alternative fuel than ethanol.

[rwthomas1]

How much are they charging when they drop off a 275gallon tote? I may have room for that.... RT