CNG can be fun, exciting and powerful - Hotrod conversion underway by AFVTech
Research and development of alternative fuel vehicle and alternative fuel power solutions is the business of AFVTech Inc., based in Phoenix, Arizona. Now it is applying its expertise to the development of a compressed natural gas hot rod based on a 1933 Ford Roadster.
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Governor Riley shakes hands with Chairman Yeung
Far East Golden Resources Group Ltd’s new limited partnership, Hybrid Kinetic Motors Project A, L.P. (HK Motors), has launched plans to raise US$7.86 billion to make natural gas and multi-fuel electric-drive hybrid cars, sport utility vehicles, crossover vehicles and large trucks in the U.S. Headed by chairman, Yung Yeung, former chairman, CEO and president of China’s Brilliance Automotive Holdings, the start-up company plans to construct a large manufacturing plant near Bay Minette in southwest Alabama.
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Based on preliminary feedback from almost 150 attendees, NGVAmerica’s 2009 Annual NGV Conference-Summit has been declared a resounding success. Themed Natural Gas Vehicles: North America’s Transportation Future – Today, the event included a meeting of the CVEF Technology Committee (TC), Annual Meeting, and Board Meeting. The event then progressed into a series of presentations and discussions, listed below:
General Motors Co. (GM) has put its hand up for assistance with their fuel cell program in the US, saying that Government help and industry partnerships are needed to establish hydrogen fuelling infrastructure to help create demand. A GM press release notes hydrogen-powered fuel cells are a few years away from widespread commercial use because of the need for additional investment and partnership, along with expanded availability of hydrogen fueling stations.
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A Thailand Transport Ministry’s Bt66-billion (almost USD 2 billion) NGV bus-leasing scheme, for 4,000 air-conditioned buses fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) over a 10-year period, has reportedly won the Thailand Cabinet’s blessing. The Cabinet has spent several months considering various options to fund the busses before apparently settling on the lease program. A senate watch-committee will oversee the implementation, including a competitive bidding process. According to a report by The Nation, Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said the Cabinet had made its decision based on recommendations from the National Economic and Social Development Board, which concluded that leasing was less risky than an outright purchase.
Petronas is to add two more CNG refueling stations in Kuala Lumpur, to cater for residents in the Federal Territory and Klang Valley, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said. A Bernama report, confirmed by Petronas, says the sites will be developed within the next six months, in part to ease the refueling wait-times experienced by NGV taxi drivers. Petronas has also confirmed that the government, keen to increase the number of facilities in Kuala Lumpur City Centre, assisted by offering the 2 sites for development on a fast track basis. There are 125 NGV stations nationwide, of which 76 are in the Federal Territory and Klang Valley.
Engineers at Maruti Suzuki’s R&D centre in Gurgaon are said to be close to developing India’s first light-duty multi-point fuel injection (MPFI) bi-fuel production engine running on petrol and CNG, according to a report by The Economic Times. The performance and fuel economy expected from the development represents a step up from the current retro-fitted CNG engines dominant in the India market. Another Indian manufacturer, Ashok-Leyland commenced production of MPFI heavy-duty natural gas engines in 2008. Another Indian automaker, Ashok Leyland, released an MPFI heavy-duty natural gas engine in January 2008.
WMATA's CNG Metrobus facility groundbreaker brings smiles all round
Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) broke ground mid-September on a new CNG Metrobus facility in Southwest Washington that will house and maintain 114 Metrobuses, and if fully developed, will be able to accommodate up to 250 buses. The new state-of-the-art bus facility, which replaces Metro’s 72-year old Southeastern Bus Garage, is expected to be completed as early as 2012.
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Tata Motors Xenon XT - Extended Cab Pickup
Alternative Fuel Systems (2004) Inc. (AFS), based in Calgary, has been selected by Tata Motors for a project involving the compressed natural gas (CNG) fueled version of the recently announced “Xenon XT” extended cab pickup truck. Tata Motors is one of India’s largest manufacturers of motor vehicles. In a company press release, AFS President and CEO Jim Perry stated that “A Xenon XT provided by Tata Motors (Thailand) Ltd. equipped with an AFS engine control system has now arrived in Calgary. We are in the process of licensing the vehicle for testing on Canadian roads.”
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Texans are gearing up for an increased natural gas vehicle presence with the formation of the Metroplex Natural Gas Vehicle Consortium, announced September 24. According to a report by FW Business Press, there are several organizations in the area with an interest in energy and natural gas, which have come together to “develop new and expanded markets and refueling stations for natural gas in the Fort Worth-Dallas area”. The north Texas area currently has nine natural gas refueling stations that are available for public use.
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2009 CSA Corporate Award of Merit for Swagelok Company
2009 CSA Personal Award of Distinction for Hank Seiff & Livio Gambone
CSA Standards in the United States has recognized NGV industry leaders as part of their 3rd Annual CSA Standards Awards for Outstanding Achievement. IANGV Sponsor Swagelok Company received corporate recognition while long serving industry members, Hank Seiff, retired, and Livio Gambone of Powertech Labs were awarded Personal Awards of Distinction, CSA Standards’ most prestigious award honoring “remarkable leadership within CSA’s standards program over the tenure of an individual’s service, through technical, administrative, or special standards activities”. CSA Standards is a leading standards-based solutions organization serving industry, government, consumers and other interested parties in North America and the global marketplace.
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The Fiat Qubo Natural Power
Fiat’s commitment to supplying natural gas vehicles continues, this time with the release of the bi-fuel (petrol and methane) Qubo Natural Power. The Fiat Qubo Natural Power is available in two versions, the Active and the Dynamic, both powered by the same 70 HP 1.4 engine (Euro5) with CO2 emissions of 119g/Km. Current incentives available in Italy mean the vehicles currently sell for around USD 12,000. Fiat pioneered methane fuelled vehicles over 10 years ago and is now Europe’s leading manufacturer of original methane fuelled vehicles (OEM) and the first manufacturer to offer a wide range of bi-fuel models (see IANGV’s OEM Vehicle Directory for the “Natural Power” Fiat range).
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The NGVAmerica publication argues for natural gas-powered refuse trucks
NGVAmerica has strengthened the argument for take-up of natural gas vehicles in the US, holding their annual summit in conjunction with WasteCon 2009, on this week at Long Beach, California. NGVAmerica’s President Rich Kolodziej told Fleets and Fuels (F&F)- “It is an area of special potential. They use a lot of fuel,” he says, “but don’t clock long distances. They do a lot of idling, and draw a lot of engine power to run compactors.” Kolodziej notes that many carters work under franchise deals and are vulnerable to fuel price increases, such as that which occurred in 2008. “Natural gas has all the benefits they’re looking for,” he says, with price stability at the top of the list. Tighter environmental regulations are also making natural gas more economical.
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Groot's Mack TerraPro LE (2010 Model)
Groot Industries Inc., the largest independent solid waste management services provider in the State of Illinois, will add 20 new compressed natural gas (CNG) trucks to its garbage hauling fleet by the end of the year. The vehicle of choice is the Mack Terra Pro LE (model year 2010), selected for its reduced emissions and engine noise, industry suitability and because of the supportive relationship between Groot and Mack, according to Groot Industries Fleet Director, Brian Curry.
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The newly developed tractor-trailer conversion of the IVECO CNG Daily
German trailer manufacturing company T-AX-O Trailer GmbH, based in Saxony, has converted a 35C14 IVECO Daily running on NG/biomethane into a tractor-trailer unit and is making it commercially available. The first prototype of the tractor version has received homologation approval by NGVA Europe member TÜV Saarland and Dekra Saxony and is ready for serial production as per individual order, acording to NGVA Europe.
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