Achates Power Inc., the developer of radically improved internal combustion engines, testified for more stringent engine fuel efficiency and emission standards at a recent public hearing held by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

During a public hearing on “Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Fuel Efficiency Standards for Medium- and Heavy-Duty Engines and Vehicles ­Phase 2,” Laurence Fromm, Achates Power vice president of business and strategy development, testified for stronger engine standards.

“We support the EPA’s intent to establish standards based not only on currently available technologies, but also based on technologies now under development or not yet widely deployed,” said Fromm. “We view the proposed engine standard, however, as being too modest —­ so modest that it may not achieve the agencies’ explicit objective of spurring advanced technology deployment.”

This year, the NHTSA and the EPA jointly announced proposed standards for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles. While these vehicles as a whole will have to curb fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions by up to 24 percent between the 2018 and 2027 model years, the agencies are proposing separate engine standards requiring only a 4 percent decrease.

“We propose an engine standard requiring a 15 percent decrease in fuel consumption and emissions. That goal is not only attainable with the technology we have already demonstrated but is, in fact, our plan,” continued Fromm.

The Achates engine is currently addressing these standards by offering proven advantages in cleanliness, efficiency, cost and weight without the drawbacks of its competitors, the company claims. The company’s opposed-piston internal combustion engine design does not require the adoption of costly infrastructure upgrades, vehicle modifications or a change in fleet operations, according to Achates. It is lighter, smaller and up to 10 percent less costly than its traditional counterpart.

“There are many advanced technologies available to truck manufacturers, but all cost more ­— sometimes substantially more,” said David Johnson, Achates Power president and CEO. “By adopting the Achates engine, OEMs can meet the 2027 goals with a solution that costs less than today’s engine.”