GAFFNEY, S.C. – Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation (FCCC) now offers a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered chassis for the walk-in van marketplace. The CNG chassis complements the existing hybrid chassis that FCCC offers.

“FCCC is dedicated to developing and expanding our alternative-fuel technology further with the launch of CNG,” said Joe Snyder, FCCC product manager–Commercial Vehicles.

FCCC builds both MT-45 and MT-55 CNG-powered chassis, and they carry the same payload of FCCC’s diesel-powered versions — 10,000 to 19,000 lbs. — with the same GVWR range of 14,140 to 30,000 lbs.

The featured engine series in both the MT-45 and MT-55 CNG-powered chassis is the 5.9L, six-cylinder Cummins B Gas Plus that produces 195 to 230 horsepower with a torque range of 420 to 500 lb.-ft. The Cummins B Gas Plus engines already meet EPA emissions standards for 2010.

“Our CNG fuel system includes all stainless-steel fuel and vent lines, with Dynetek seamless aluminum fuel cylinders, covered with a carbon-fiber shell,” Snyder said, “providing high-capacity, lightweight cylinders to the market.”

In early 2008, UPS will deploy 167 new FCCC CNG-powered Walk-in Vans in California, Texas, and Georgia. They will appear the same as all other UPS FCCC diesel-powered Walk-in Vans-except for a specific label that identifies them as CNG-powered.

“Our CNG-powered Walk-in Vans are built from a clean-sheet approach,” Snyder said, “and not an aftermarket retrofit, which is the approach of our competition.”

Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation manufactures premium chassis for the motorhome, delivery walk-in van, school bus and shuttle bus markets. Freightliner Custom Chassis Corporation is a subsidiary of Daimler Trucks North America LLC, a Daimler company.