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New System Brings Propane's Cost, Green Benefits to Diesels

New Hudson-based Icom North America said Tuesday that it is bringing the fuel economy and environmental benefits of its liquid-injection propane system to diesel-powered vehicles in the United States this year.

Icom's new JTG-Dynamic System, shown for the first time at the National Propane Gas Association convention in Atlanta, enables vehicles to run on either diesel fuel or a 50-50 mixture of liquid-injected propane and diesel fuel.

"Our innovative JTG-Dynamic System will provide vehicle owners with more power, more torque and improved efficiency along with huge fuel-cost savings and lower emissions," says Icom's CEO Ralph Perpetuini.

With Icom's JTG-Dynamic System, a vehicle can run in either the propane/diesel dual-fuel mode or in its original diesel mode. The vehicle's engine is not mechanically modified and can run unchanged in the diesel mode. In the dual-fuel mode the Icom ICU controls and monitors the engine.

The system can be installed on diesel injection engines with electronics specifically programmed for each engine platform. Icom now offers systems configured for International DT466 and Cummins 11.9 engine families, with more engine platforms under development.

"Our new system is an all-around winner for diesel fleets," said Albert Venezio, chairman of Icom North America.  "For owners, it dramatically reduces operating costs because propane is cheaper than diesel and has a 50-cents-per-gallon alternative fuel-tax credit. For the environment, it reduces emissions. For the national economy it helps to reduce petroleum imports because propane is mostly U.S.-sourced. The JTG-Dynamic system is a breakthrough technology and the only system for diesels that injects liquid propane, not vapor. It expands the applications of Icom's JTG bi-fuel system, which is now powering more than 120,000 vehicles worldwide with the ability to run on either liquid-injected propane or gasoline." 

Jasper Alternate Fuels, a division of Jasper Engines & Transmissions of Jasper Ind., will be the first to install the JTG-Dynamic System on diesel vehicles. Jasper has over 55 installation centers across the United States to perform both LPG and CNG conversions on vehicles.

"The industry has been looking for a unit like this that can provide an increase in power and torque plus a 50 percent reduction in diesel-fuel expenses," says Ed Zoglman, manager of the Jasper Alternate Fuels Division. "Our customers are looking for fuel savings and cleaner emissions. This system has both."

Icom North America LLC, founded in 2004, is an alternative fuel systems pioneer. It manufactures, assembles, and distributes the patented Icom JTG Liquid Injection Propane System, JTG-Dynamic Propane/Diesel System and additional Icom products. They include the proprietary Icom toroidal and cylindrical propane tank for commercial and passenger OEM as well as aftermarket vehicles in North America and selected other markets.

More at www.icomnorthamerica.com or  www.jasperengines.com/alternate-fuel.php.

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