Cummins and Westport announce California certification for low-emissions truck engine

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TO AUTO AND ENVIRONMENT EDITORS:

Cummins and Westport announce California certification for low-emissions truck engine

CANADA, Feb. 23 -/E-Wire/-- Westport Innovations Inc. (TSE:WPT) of Vancouver, British Columbia announced today that it has obtained California low-emissions certification for a Cummins truck engine with a Westport natural gas fuel system. The certified engine is the world's highest capacity and most powerful natural gas truck engine.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) provided the certification under executive order A-343-1. It applies to Westport's natural gas fuel system installed in a 15-litre ISX truck engine manufactured by Cummins, the world's largest producer of diesel engines above 50 horsepower. When this newly certified engine successfully completes an extensive field trial now underway, Cummins will have the broadest range of California low-emissions products. Cummins' current low-emissions product line includes a 5.9 litre engine available with natural gas or liquid petroleum gas, and an 8.3 litre natural gas version of the ISC diesel engine.

"We are delighted that a 15-litre Cummins heavy-duty engine now meets California's low-emissions requirements," said Tom Kieffer, Executive Director of Marketing for Cummins. "For the first time, truck fleet operators have the opportunity to plan for a natural gas truck that performs as well as a heavy-duty diesel fuel truck at all speeds and loads."

David Demers, Westport's President and Chief Executive Officer, added, "This is a major milestone for Westport. California has the world's toughest vehicle emissions standards and certification is further evidence that Westport is the market leader in low-emissions, natural gas technology for heavy-duty trucks."

Under California regulations, the ISX engine with Westport's fuel system is certified for emissions of no more than 2.5 grams per horsepower-hour of oxides of nitrogen (NOx). With this designation, purchasers of the Westport system can apply for state incentive funding, including those available from the Carl Moyer Program to encourage the use of low-emissions technologies.

Westport began road tests in May 2000 for its first truck equipped with the proprietary natural gas fuel system and a Cummins ISX engine. Customer field trials began in January with a focus on the California market. The Westport natural gas truck engine is the most powerful low-emissions engine certified by CARB. The torque (the rotating force that turns the wheels) is 1,450 foot-pounds, delivering up to 435 horsepower. Westport achieves this high torque with half the particulate matter emissions of the next most powerful heavy-duty engine with California low-emissions certification.

Westport's strategy is to develop natural gas technology through strategic alliances with major diesel engine manufacturers. For the ISX engine Westport has worked cooperatively with Cummins since 1999. Westport is also working with Cummins on a natural gas fuel system for high-horsepower engines suitable for the generation of electric power.

Note: This news release contains forward-looking statements about Westport's plans for its technology based on the current expectations of management. Westport cautions investors that due to risks and uncertainties, actual events may differ materially from current expectations.

Westport Innovations Inc.

Westport: Alan Bayless, Manager, Media and Investor Relations, Phone (604) 718-2016, fax (604) 718-2001, e-mail: [REDACTED-EMAIL];

Cummins: Dorothy Brown Smith, Director, Public Relations, Phone (812) 377-1085, fax (812) 377-3272, e-mail: [REDACTED-EMAIL]

http://http://www.westport.com

http://http://www.cummins.com

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