Canada, Ottawa
Natural gas is the ideal primary energy source, supplemented by renewables such as geo-thermal and solar power, to help communities reduce greenhouse gas emissions and move to a more efficient and sustainable energy future, concludes a new report released today by the Canadian Gas Association (CGA).
India, Lucknow
The Regional Transport Authority has reportedly decided to not allow LPG-operated school vans from April in order to ensure safety of schoolchildren. All 100 vans currently plying the roads will have to be converted to CNG. The RTA has asked all the van operators to convert their vehicles to CNG mode as soon as possible, and will follow up with strict action to be taken against operators for non-compliance.
USA, California
Four more compressed natural gas (CNG) infrastructure jobs have been awarded in the state, to Southern California’s Gas Equipment Systems, Inc. (GESI). The projects include various supply, construction and management aspects fo refuelling stations in Pasadena, Tulare, Beaumont and San Juan. Fleets and Fuels.
USA, Brookhaven LI
The Town of Brookhaven New York is looking to buy upwards of 70 compressed natural gas refuse trucks, and is holding a conference April 7 to detail the bidding process. Bids will be due on April 22. And a decision on winning carters is be made public on May 6, says Ron Gulmi of National Grid, the former KeySpan utility.
USA
Foton America, U.S. arm of the 28,000-employee Chinese OEM Beiqi Foton Motor, is firming up plans to launch a full-size transit bus that’s fueled by clean burning compressed natural gas (CNG) — but is to cost no more than current diesel models. Key to the Foton America strategy is a Chinese-made chassis, with drivetrain and fuel system (as well as tires and CNG-fueled auxiliary heater) made in the U.S. to satisfy the Buy America requirements that are a must for federally funded transit agency purchases.
Thailand, Bangkok
Chevvy launches dual-fuel Colorado pickup
Chevrolet’s long awaited dual-fuel CNG-Diesel Colorado pickup truck has been launched at the Bangkok Motor Show. It is the first dual-fuel truck produced for the Thai market, and runs on a mixture of 65% CNG and 35% diesel . If necessary the truck can travel on diesel alone. CNG fuel expansion in Thailand is supported by a huge supply of natural gas in the Gulf of Thailand and a growing network of CNG refuelling stations.
USA
OEM delivery vehicles added to fleet
UPS has deployed 167 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) delivery vehicles in Texas, Georgia and California. The CNG vehicles, part of UPS’s global alternative fuel fleet, will help reduce the company’s carbon footprint and its dependence on fossil fuels. The trucks are expected to reduce emissions by 20 percent and improve fuel economy by 10 percent compared to the cleanest diesel engines available today.
On March 20th, Los Angeles Harbor Commission approved a Clean Truck Program for the Port of LA similar to the one approved by the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners last month. The program goes into effect on October 1st. One major difference is that the LA Port Plan requires that drivers be employees of port-approved concessionaires. There also are differences with respect to exemptions and financing.
The president of the Peruvian Environment National Congress, Manuel Bernales Alvarado, has proposed that, in order to improve their efficiency and emissions, all trains in Peru should operate on natural gas, including the railroads that will be constructed in the Amazonian region. Bernales Alvarado especially addressed the Brazil-Peru railroad project that will link the northern ports of Paita and Bayóvar with the Brazilian locality of Cruceiro do Sul. This project was unanimously approved by the National Congress on March 13th. Natural gas trains for the Amazon were already discussed at the First Congress about International Environmental Science called "Amazonia and Sustainable Development.” It was stated that natural gas use must be a fundamental requirement for the approval of the environmental impact statement for the railroad project because it saves energy, reduces pollution and improves the protection of the Amazonian ecosystem.
Canada, Toronto
FuelMaker Corporation has signed a 5 year, $65 million exclusive dealership agreement with Cornerstone (Beijing) International Trading Company Ltd. to market, promote and service FuelMaker’s line of natural gas Vehicle Refueling Appliances (VRA) and Phill, the Home Refueling Appliance in China. NGVs with their low emissions, operating costs and mature technology, have been recognized as the best readily available option to reduce air pollution and petroleum consumption in the country. NGVs are also a further logical choice for China as it has abundant natural gas resources.
India
Five Indian automobile majors — Bajaj Auto, Ashok Leyland, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) and Eicher Motors — have come together to develop hydrogen blended compressed natural gas (HCNG) fuelled vehicles according to The India Times. The pilot project will use CNG with different blends of hydrogen fuel ranging from 12% to 30%. This will be tested on the different type of vehicles that will be supplied by these manufacturers. Bajaj Auto’s three-wheeler has reportedly already been tested along with Tata Motors’ light commercial vehicles (LCV), while bigger commercial vehicles and buses will soon be tested.
Every two years, IANGV members elect or appoint new office bearers for the Executive Committee. This normally happens at the Council meeting which this year will be on Friday 7 June in Rio de Janeiro directly after NGV2008. Office bearers to be elected are:
USA, Ashville NC
The potential to cut fuel costs by more than half brought about 150 fleet managers and others from across the Southeast this week to a daylong seminar on natural gas at the Lutheridge Conference Center in Ashville NC, as reported by the Ashville Citizen-Times. Participants in the seminar got an up-close look at trucks and cars owned by the City of Asheville, UNC Asheville and Mission Hospitals that run on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the afternoon, they were shuttled over to tour Altec-Eco Corp.’s vehicle conversion plant and its fueling station in Arden. “You’re lucky that you have a couple of natural gas fueling stations here in Asheville,” Barry Carr, said Vice President of alternative fuels for American Honda.
China, Beijing
Sinoenergy Corporation has announced the opening of three new retail Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) filling stations in Wuhan City, Hubei Province. The Company has now opened a total of six retail CNG filling stations in Central and East China.
Wuhan City is the capital of Hubei Province and the biggest city in
Central China, with a population of over 9.0 million people. The city
has 6,300 buses and 20,000 taxis, and about 7,000 CNG vehicles. There
are fewer than 14 retail CNG filling stations in Wuhan, and at least 20
to 30 retail CNG filling stations are needed to meet current demand for
CNG. Sinoenergy plans to develop and open for business a number of
retail CNG filling stations in Wuhan throughout 2008.
USA, Kentucky
Peterbilt Motors Company has announced its partnership with Westport Innovations to develop a natural gas version of its Model 386 for Wal-Mart at the 2008 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky. These units will meet 2008 EPA and CARB emission levels of 0.8g/bhp-hr NOx and 0.01g/bhp-hr PM. The trucks will be eligible for a federal tax credit in the United States and other state-specific emissions credit.
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