Mack Trucks is expanding its natural gas-powered offerings and has taken a key step forward in its hybrid vehicle development process.

Mack plans to offer natural gas-powered versions of the MACK Pinnacle and MACK Granite models in 2013. Both models are manufactured in the company's Lower Macungie Plant. The addition of the 12-liter natural gas-powered models expands Mack's current natural gas solutions to on-highway and construction applications.

Mack's natural gas-powered trucks are available with compressed (CNG) or liquefied (LNG) fuel systems.

“Mack has a long history in alternative driveline technologies, and in particular, natural gas,” said Kevin Flaherty, president, Mack Trucks North American sales and marketing, “We've offered natural gas since it became clear that it was a viable energy solution in the refuse segment. Now customers within the regional haul, LTL and construction segments will have the benefits of natural gas combined with the power and performance they expect from Mack.”

Mack also is investigating other alternative driveline technologies, including high pressure direct injection, which uses a combination of natural gas and a small amount of diesel in the combustion process, and DME (dimethyl ether), which can be produced from natural gas. Mack already offers natural gas-powered MACK TerraPro Low Entry and MACK TerraPro Cabover refuse models.

In addition, the company continues to move forward on development of diesel-electric hybrid TerraPro models, recently delivering additional Low Entry test units to the New York City Department of Sanitation for evaluation.

The Mack diesel-electric hybrid technology provides up to a 30 percent fuel economy improvement in stop-and-go applications such as refuse, with a corresponding greenhouse gas emissions benefit.