GE Transportation set to debut latest Evolution Series engine

GE Transportation completed the first production test of its new GE Evolution Series Tier 4 engine, the company announced yesterday.

Part of a larger $600 million investment in the Evolution Series platform, the new engine underwent performance, emissions and mechanical evaluations at the company's new test cell in Grove City, Pa.

The new engine meets the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Tier 4 emission standards, which went into effect on Jan. 1. The engine produces 70 percent less nitrogen oxide and particulate matter emissions than the former Tier 3 model, GE officials said in a statement.

Tina Donikowski, vice president of GE Locomotives, Marine and Stationary and Drill, noted that the company has already manufactured 27 of the engines and remains committed to delivering them to customers.

"This is a major step forward in our Tier 4 journey," she said. "Through the efforts of the GE team in Grove City, we’ll be able to validate the test cell and the production process and make improvements to our overall plan."

The Tier 4 engine features exhaust gas recirculation, a common rail fuel system and a turbocharger, and it does not require any after-treatment to meet emission targets, GE officials said.