INDIANAPOLIS — Allison Transmission has partnered with Cummins to test and validate the new Cummins X15N 15-liter natural gas engine paired with the Allison 4000 Series fully automatic transmission
Sandman, a bulk cement hauling fleet based in San Jose, California, has successfully completed over 50,000 miles of vehicle testing in the field and reports significant improvements in fuel efficiency and performance. According to a press release from Allison, the test vehicle, a Peterbilt tractor pulling double trailers of bulk cement, demonstrated the “impressive performance and productivity of the X15N engine and Allison transmission combination.”
Victor Landaverde, fleet manager for Sandman, says that integrating Allison’s fully automatic transmissions more than two decade ago “changed the world for our drivers.” Those drivers, he noted, haul 80,000-pound loads through stop-and-go traffic between San Jose and San Francisco multiple times each day.
“We are thrilled with the performance of the Cummins X15N engine paired with the Allison 4000 Series transmission and the potential impact it could bring to our fleet of over 100 Allison-equipped natural gas trucks,” Landaverde said. “The field testing has been flawless over the course of 50,000 miles, and in addition to achieving excellent fuel efficiency, the enhanced engine braking and consistently stronger power during shifting have significantly improved our operations.”
According to the manufacturer, the 4000 Series transmission is designed to deliver both performance and fuel efficiency. Allison’s torque converter multiplies engine torque to significantly improve stability, drivability and overall productivity. Pairing the 4000 Series with the X15N, which is 500 pounds lighter than the diesel version of the 15-liter engine, will deliver additional fuel savings and emissions reductions for fleets, reducing the total cost of vehicle ownership while supporting corporate social responsibility objectives. The 4000 Series transmission used in Sandman’s trial is also calibrated with FuelSense 2.0, a unique set of software and electronic controls that provide quantifiable fuel savings of up to 6%.
“Allison fully automatic transmissions are fuel agnostic, meaning they can pair with multiple energy sources, including diesel, natural gas, electric hybrid, fuel cell and battery electric,” said Rohan Barua, vice president of North America sales, global channel and aftermarket for Allison.
“As the industry continues to evaluate electric vehicle technology and works to overcome the hurdles facing this technology adoption, more customers are expected to adopt alternative fuel engines as a solution to meet increasing emissions stringencies,” he continued. “We look forward to partnering with Cummins and leading OEMs to help fleets reduce their carbon footprint without sacrificing fleet productivity and efficiency. We’re confident the Cummins X15N and Allison transmission pairing is an optimal solution.”
Peterbilt and Kenworth trucks equipped with the X15N and Allison fully automatic transmissions are now available to order.
Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Erica N. Guy decided to stay in her hometown to begin her professional career in journalism. Since obtaining her bachelor’s degree from UAPB, Erica has professionally written for several publications about several topics ranging from lifestyle, tech, culture, and entertainment, just to name a few. Continuing her love for her hometown, she joined our team in June 2023, where she is currently a staff writer. Her career goals include continuing storytelling through her writing by being the best professional writer she can be. In her spare time, Erica enjoys trying new foods, cozying up with a good book, spending time with family and friends, and establishing herself as a future businesswoman.
