Keystone Auto company presented a prototype of the KAMAZ-54902 tractor, converted from diesel to two types of gas at once – compressed and liquefied. The cost of conversion is about 4 million rubles, but almost the entire amount can be compensated through state subsidies and the sale of the removed diesel engine.
The project was based on the budget main line tractor KAMAZ-54902 with a low roof and a compact KAMAZ-689 engine with 390 hp. Instead, a Weichai gas engine was installed on the prototype, which is currently being "paired" with a Fast Gear robotic gearbox – control units are being flashed. The tractor is not yet running in this configuration, but the adjustments are expected to be completed in the near future.
The K5 lineup also includes other models – the KAMAZ-65954 off-road tractor with a 6x6 wheel arrangement, designed for a gross train weight of up to 100 tons. However, the Keystone Auto project is the first case of converting specifically the KAMAZ-54902 to dual-fuel power. If the tuning is successful, the tractor will receive economical fuel and retain the traction characteristics necessary for long-haul transportation.
History of KAMAZ-54902: from first units to testing
We have already reported on the appearance of KAMAZ-54902 on the market: in June 2024, the first production units of this two-axle K5 generation tractor with a low-roof cab and a 400 hp Kama Diesel engine rolled off the assembly line. A little later, KAMAZ officially launched the model for sale, positioning it as a more affordable alternative to the flagship KAMAZ-54901 – approximately 10% cheaper with similar functionality and a sanction-resistant component base. At the end of 2025, the tractor underwent test operation in Tatarstan, covering almost 10,000 km in a month on regional routes – the carrier highly appreciated the machine's handling and comfort. Now the same platform is becoming the basis for an experiment with gas power.