First PacLease Trucks Featuring Cummins X15N Natural Gas Engine In Service

Bousum Trucking of Chambersburg, Pa., recently put eight Kenworth T880 day cabs with the Cummins X15N natural gas engine into service. These are the first trucks featuring the 15-liter X15N engine included in a PacLease program.

The company began operating the near-zero emission trucks on Feb. 27. Most of the units are leased through Motor Truck PacLease, the local PacLease franchise.

Daily Use in Pennsylvania Waste Routes

The new Kenworth compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks transport waste from the Centre County transfer station, to a landfill in Laurel Highlands. The round trip distance is roughly 160 miles. Then, the landfill converts waste into renewable natural gas (RNG). From there, that RNG is is sold as fuel.

A solar-powered RNG refueling station located near the landfill supplies daily fuel for the trucks. The CNG fleet is expected by the company to accumulate nearly 130,000 miles per year.

According to Bousum Trucking, the new trucks reduce CO2 and NOx emissions by 90% below current EPA standards.

“We’re pleased to see Bousum Trucking add CNG trucks to transport approximately 110,000 tons of waste annually from our transfer station to the Waste Management landfill. We are committed to reducing emissions in our area,” said Ted Onufrak, Executive Director of the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority.

Cummins X15N Natural Gas Engine Performance on Grade Changes

Bousum CFO Liam Tanelli says the Cummins X15N natural gas engine as well-suited to their needs. “It enables us to handle heavy loads with confidence, offering 450 horsepower and 1,650 lb.-ft. of torque with 12-speed automated transmissions—ideal for our operation. Each truck makes three daily round trips, facing grade changes of 8-12%,” he said.

Similarly, Bousum drivers responded positively to the new trucks, noting comparable performance to diesel-powered units.

“The big distinction is the lack of emissions from our CNG engines, benefiting everyone,” Tanelli said. “We will evaluate the performance and life-cycle costs as we use these trucks as a test bed for future operations.”

Partnership with PacLease and Grant Support

Bousum initially purchased one Kenworth T880 CNG truck and then expanded its fleet by working with PacLease to lease seven more. The partnership included assistance securing a $40,000 per-truck offset through the Pennsylvania Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program.