A consortium of more than two dozen organizations began engine development in 1994. Sponsor participation ranges from in-kind services to funding for tank installation and engine maintenance.
All sponsors are also influential in project direction.
The Adept Group of Los Angeles manages the program. The new propane version, targeted toward Class 8 trucks, transit buses, and generator sets, will produce 250 to 275 hp and 890 ft-lb of torque at 1200 rpm. After 18 months of development, field-testing will begin this fall. Transit buses and trucks in both Corpus Christi and in Nova Scotia will be equipped with the Series 50P engine. After several months of real-world applications in medium and heavy trucks, DDC will formally decide on commercial production of the Series 50P. Along with publicizing the engine's characteristics and availability through trade publications and other media, project partners are planning an event at the International Transit Expo 1996, which will be held in October in California.