Cummins workers at the Darlington Engine Plant have produced the first natural gas engine in its 58-year history.

Produced alongside 72,000 diesel engines a year in Darlington, the 8.9 litre L9N (280 – 320hp) combines ultra-low emissions with diesel-like performance and reliability. The L9N can operate on compressed or liquified natural gas as well as renewable natural gas, which significantly reduces 'well-to-wheels' carbon emissions.

Ashley Watton, Director of the Bus Business Europe at Cummins, said: “Cummins' natural gas engines are a practical, readily available technology for customers seeking quiet, fuel efficient, ultra-low emissions power for urban transportation. Producing these engines locally for our European truck and bus OEM customers improves logistics and responsiveness as well as the all-round sustainability of this business."

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Designed to meet European emissions regulations, the L9N is already in high demand from the European bus market, particularly in cities with low emission zones. It is currently helping to transport passengers throughout Azerbaijan, Estonia, Poland, Spain, and Turkey.

Cummins transferred production of the L9N from its Rocky Mount Engine Plant in North Carolina, USA, to provide its Europe-based L9N customers with in-region supply.

This has reduced supply chain complexity and cut shipping distances and times. The move was completed in just six months and saw a significant investment in the Darlington plant.

The L9N shares many components and parts with Cummins L Series diesel engines, allowing Cummins to build it on the same assembly line.

“Cummins global manufacturing network means we build engines where our customers need them.

The Northern Echo: Cummins L9N natural gas engine

"Bringing L9N production to our Darlington Engine Plant will ensure we continue to deliver a high level of service to our key customers at a time of increased demand for our products, particularly in Europe.

"It also broadens our capabilities - producing spark ignited engines for the first time in Darlington positions us well for other low and zero carbon fuels in the future. This is enormously positive for the plant, our people, and our local economy.” Watton said.

The L9N is one of Cummins’ many ultra-low or zero emission power solutions that are either in development or already powering vehicles and equipment. Cummins is leveraging its experience in producing natural gas engines for other spark-ignited technologies including hydrogen internal combustion engines, which use zero-carbon hydrogen fuel.

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Cummins’ power portfolio includes ultra-clean diesel, natural gas, hydrogen fuel cells and battery systems - all contributing towards the achievement of its Destination Zero strategy to reduce emissions from the world’s hardest working sectors.

The Darlington factory opened in 1965, originally building the Small Vee family of V6 and V8 diesel engines. In 1985 production switched to the Mid-Range engines following an upgrade costing £13.5 million.

The Mid-Range engines are the B and C Series products, the forerunners of the ultra-clean low emission products manufactured today. Spanning a range of 75 to 430 hp, they power a wide range truck, bus, construction, agriculture, material handling, military, marine and power generation applications around the world.