Italian based Landi Renzo is continuing its buyout program, announcing today that, through its subsidiary Landi Renzo USA Corporation, the company is to acquire 100% of California-based Baytech Corporation. The $15 million purchase comes after the launch of Landi Renzo USA earlier this year. The company said in a press release that the acquisition strengthens its presence in the United States, describing it as ‘one of the most promising markets for the development of natural gas alternative vehicles’. Landi Renzo also recently purchased Italian component manufacturer AEB for 42 million Euros.
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Landi Renzo Buys Baytech – Strengthens Presence in US Market
July 30, 2010 – 11:23 am
Italy, USA
Iran’s Push for Fuel Self-Sufficiency Drives NGV Growth
July 29, 2010 – 2:37 pm
Source: Dow Jones Newswires Iran
Iran’s natural gas vehicle industry is expected to continue growing amidst increasing energy related sanctions imposed on the country. The sanctions are driving Iran toward being fully self-sufficient in vehicle fuels by 2015, according to a Dow Jones report. Refinery upgrades are reportedly being implemented along with policies aimed at reducing domestic consumption, including gasoline rationing, a lifting of fuel subsidies and the expansion of natural-gas-powered vehicles (NGVs). Read More »
ESI Orders Clean Air Power’s Catalyst
July 29, 2010 – 2:36 pm
USA, Houston TX
Clean Air Power (CAP)’s Houston facility has received a significant catalytic converter order from its customer Emissions Solutions Inc.(“ESI”). The order is worth $356,250 and is the second such order from ESI, the first was received in April 2010 for $215,000. ESI will use these catalysts on their 7.6L Natural Gas Engines to control Nitrogen Oxide (NOx), Carbon Monoxide and Hydrocarbons. Combined with the CAP DeNOx catalysts, the ESI engines will deliver sub EPA ‘10 emission levels for their truck and bus operating customers. EPA ‘10 requires near-zero emissions of particulates and NOx. The relationship between CAP and ESI has resulted in a design specifically for ESI’s engine technology.
Education the Key to NGV Take-up in Australia, Not Technology
July 29, 2010 – 2:12 pm
Australia
SAE-Australasia’s first two-day conference, held in Melbourne, has highlighted the need for selling the message about the efficiencies and environmental benefits available to fleets and private users, through the adoption of natural gas as a fuel for transportation. Tony McMullan of Australia’s Truck Industry Council quoted Professor David Cebon, an Australian academic and engineer from Cambridge University, who said that as an industry we do not have a technical problem we have a marketing problem. SAE will renew its focus on educating the public and then going to government and identifying policy that will assist in the greater acceptance and take up of gaseous fuels, seen as a key role for SAE-A.
Omnitek’s High Pressure Natural Gas Filter Faces Strong Demand
July 28, 2010 – 2:44 pm
USA, San Marcos CA
Omnitek Engineering Corporation, a developer of natural gas engines and proprietary diesel-to-natural gas conversion systems, says business is booming for their high-pressure natural gas filters. with more than 20,000 sold since the component’s introduction earlier this year. The filters, which provide protection from solid particulate matter and oil aerosols, are made for light and heavy duty vehicles powered by CNG. Sales have been bolstered by receiving international certification from an independent agency in January, based on tests and standards sanctioned by the United Nationals Economic Commission for Europe, specifically UN-ECE-110R.
E.ON Opens New CNG Filling Station in Czech Republic
July 28, 2010 – 2:38 pm
Czech Republic, Svoboda nad Úpou
E.ON's second CNG filling station opens in Czech Republic.
E.ON energy company, part of E.ON Energie AG, has opened its second compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station in the Czech Republic, in Svoboda nad Úpou. “The first one has already been opened in České Budějovice and I hope that soon there will be many more,” said the Chairman of the Board of E.ON Energie, a.s., Jiří Šimek. The station is located at the Osnado s.r.o.public transport facility. The Greenline TA 130 CNG filling station has a small ASPRO SCA 50-4 size compressor with a capacity of 140Nm³ /h; inlet/outlet gas dryer, one dispenser with NGV1 and NGV2 couplings and storage of 4.200 liters. Read More »
Cummins Westport Plans NG ISX11.9 for 2013
July 27, 2010 – 3:04 pm
Source: Fleets&Fuels
Cummins Westport is planning is planning a dedicated-natural gas, spark ignition version of the new ISX11.9 diesel engine from Cummins, which may be available in 2013, according to a Fleets & Fuels report. Cummins reported U.S. EPA and California certification of the diesel engine to 2010 limits on July 20, and said it will commence full production of the diesel engine in August. Read More »
Clean Air Power Signs Agreements With Volvo Powertrain and Volvo Bus
July 27, 2010 – 1:53 pm
United Kingdom
Volvo Powertrain Technologies signs up for CAP dual-fuel technology.
Clean Air Power (CAP), the developer of dual-fuel combustion technology that enables heavy-duty diesel engines to operate on a combination of diesel and natural gas,reports that it has formally signed a significant Supply Agreement with Volvo Powertrain and a separate Development Agreement with Volvo Bus Corporation. Read More »
AFVi Survey: Adopting Alternative Fuel Vehicles is Top Strategy – Natural Gas Dominant Preference
July 25, 2010 – 2:32 pm
USA
At 34%, natural gas dominates survey responses.
The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Institute, which organized the Alternative Fuels & Vehicles National Conference + Expo 2010, has released the results of a survey, in which participants were asked about one policy or initiative that their company is using to green their fleet. 89% said incorporating, expanding and/or replacing existing vehicles with “alternative fuel vehicles” is their top strategy. Of those that indicated a preferred fuel type, natural gas was the dominant preference, attracting 34% of respondents ahead of 6 other fuels. Read More »
VW Caddy EcoFuel 2011
July 25, 2010 – 2:36 am
Source: Automania Germany
Volkwagen's restyled Caddy EcoFuel for 2011
The Volkswagen Caddy EcoFuel 2011 has been redesigned to increase cargo space when rear seats are removed, reports Automania. The Caddy achieves a load capacity of 3030 litres, while the Caddy Maxi reaches 3880 litres. Both vehicles are powered by a 2.0-liter, 109 hp, EcoFuel natural gas (CNG) engine.
Illinois State Funding Goes to Pace Bus for Green Buses
July 24, 2010 – 11:44 pm
USA, Arlington Heights IL
The State of Illinois has released roughly $32 million of capital funding to Pace, the suburban bus division of the regional transport authority, which will help the agency to move forward with efforts to test green technology buses and paratransit vehicles such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and hybrids, and carry out other transit projects. $20 million has been allocated for purchase of green vehicles. The $32 million is the first installment of a total $200 million that Pace expects to receive based on legislation passed by the Illinois General Assembly during 2009.
New Illinois MetroLINK Facility Includes Natural Gas Fuelling
July 23, 2010 – 12:45 pm
USA, Moline IL
Long struggling for space, Rock Island in the US State of Illinois is celebrating the approval of $15 million in funding to build a new MetroLINK Transit Maintenance Facility. From a fleet of 94 buses half are natural gas vehicles, which have had to be refueled off-site. The 140,000-square-foot facility will include fueling stations (both compressed natural gas and diesel), a full service maintenance garage and as parking for all buses.
CNG Distribution Network Launched in Ghaziabad
July 23, 2010 – 1:19 am
Source: New Kerala India, Ghaziabad
India’s Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Jitin Prasada, launched a Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Piped Natural Gas (PNG) service in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, last Thursday. Three CNG stations are currently operational in Ghaziabad and eight more have been commissioned, according to a New Kerala report. By the end March 2011, 22 CNG stations would reportedly become operational. Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) has been authorized to lay, build, operate or expand city-gas distribution (CGD) network in Ghaziabad by the Ministry.
CA Energy Commission Boosts Cutting-Edge Trucks and Buses with Nearly $20 Million
July 21, 2010 – 5:03 pm
USA, Sacramento CA
The California Energy Commission has approved 11 awards for projects that will demonstrate the possibilities for cutting-edge natural gas-powered, hybrid, and electric trucks and buses to reduce petroleum use, cut pollution and provide jobs. The awards leverage almost $20 million in state funding with $9.3 million in federal stimulus money and $39 million in private funds. Read More »
Joint Project Opens First CNG Fuel Station in Kazakhstan
July 20, 2010 – 1:25 pm
Kazakhstan, Almaty
Kazakhstan's first natural gas fuelling station is expected to be the first of many.
A compressed natural gas fuelling station has been opened in a municipal vehicle park of Almaty city, marking the formal launch of the joint project of KazTransGas and BG Kazakhstan on converting Almaty municipal vehicles to CNG. Minimal capacity of the first CNG station in Almaty and in the Republic of Kazakhstan is about 1200 cbm of gas per hour, maximal – 2000 cbm per hour. The station will serve up to 240 buses. Read More »
