Sinotruk began developing gas engines in 2002 and successfully developed a heavy-duty natural gas engine in 2005. In 2008, Sinotruk's dedicated natural gas engine project was included in the national 863 Program, and it passed acceptance by the Ministry of Science and Technology in June 2011. Through the 863 Program, the dedicated natural gas engine developed by Sinotruk achieved breakthroughs in power, fuel economy and environmental performance.
The Sinotruk WT615 series is currently the most powerful natural gas engine in China and holds a 45%–50% share of the domestic heavy-truck market. It can be used in tractor units, dump trucks, concrete mixer trucks, mining vehicles and many other vehicle types. The engines are sold throughout China, especially in gas-rich regions such as Xinjiang, Shaanxi, Shanxi, Shandong and Sichuan, and are exported to Southeast Asian countries including Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. There are now more than 2,000 Sinotruk natural gas vehicles in service in Thailand.
Ma Peng, an engineer in the RM section of Sinotruk's Powertrain Division, is a member of the WT615 engine development team. According to him, the WT615 range currently comprises 12 models in two series, 10 L and 12 L, with rated power from 170 kW to 309 kW (420 hp), the highest among Chinese engines of the same displacement. Compared with other Chinese natural gas engines for heavy trucks, the turbocharged WT615 natural gas engine is more reliable, more powerful, and more economical and cleaner in use, which gives it a very clear advantage.
The WT615 natural gas engine inherits the reliability of the original diesel engine block. It uses pistons with internal cooling galleries and specially designed piston rings, and a water-cooled exhaust turbocharger, which extend service life. The four-valve design with a centrally located spark plug gives high intake and exhaust efficiency and more complete combustion. A well-matched turbocharger combined with an electronically controlled exhaust valve gives peak torque and a peak-torque speed range essentially the same as those of a diesel engine of equal power. Lean-burn combustion and electronically controlled pressure regulation of the intake give the engine very good fuel economy, with a minimum specific gas consumption below 185 g/kWh, which lowers operating costs for users. Emissions are better than the limits of the China IV standard.
The WT615 natural gas engine is widely applicable: it can run on either compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) to meet different user needs. The engine's gas control system is inexpensive to operate and maintain and is highly adaptable. "Sinotruk WT615 series natural gas engines still work well where gas quality in China is below standard and operating conditions are harsh, and that is one of the main reasons users favor our products," said a representative of Sinotruk's marketing department.
Before market launch, the WT615 series underwent rigorous engine bench durability tests and vehicle road tests. Every engine is bench-tested before leaving the factory. The gas control and turbocharger system uses products from ECI of the United States, a company with a strong worldwide reputation, to ensure the best quality.
Following the market trend, the sales organization promotes gas vehicles
After several years of development, Sinotruk's natural gas heavy-truck technology has matured and can fully meet the needs of medium-heavy and heavy trucks. Sinotruk now offers proven gas-powered turbocharged versions of its HOWO, Golden Prince and Haoyun ranges, as well as mining vehicles, low-speed port tractors, buses and other vehicle series.
The regional branches of Sinotruk's sales divisions are actively contacting natural gas companies in their regions to cooperate on a series of promotional activities. This year, branches in Shandong, Tianjin, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Beijing and elsewhere have brought customers to Jinan to tour the production base and see for themselves the strength of Sinotruk as a company and of its products.
