IHI Marine United Develops Large-Scale LNG Fuel Containership Concept

| Japan, Tokyo

IHIMU's LNG-powered containership design

The approaching 1 January 2016 deadline for enforcement of IMO (International Maritime Organization) developed Tier III emission controls, governing NOx emissions from ship fuel in Emission Control Areas (ECAs), has led to the development by IHI Marine United Inc. (IHIMU), of a low-emission containership that can run on liquefied natural gas (LNG) in addition to the conventional fuel of heavy oil. A concept design has now been completed for a 10,000 TEU* large container vessel.

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GM Adds NGVs to Detroit Schools Science Program

| USA, Detroit MI

In Michigan a compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Chevrolet Express van will transport the Detroit Science Center’s Traveling Science program to Detroit schools and communities following its donation by the General Motors Foundation. The Foundation also presented the DSC with $96,000 as part of its $1.4 million, multi-year pledge in support of the “On the Road with General Motors” exhibit at the Science Center. Along with the new CNG van, the science center will be developing a new Traveling Science program highlighting CNG vehicle technology that will debut this fall. GM Chief Technology Officer Tom Stephens made the donations.

(This article compiled using information from a GM press release)

Maruti Commits to Alt-Fuel Focus in Annual Report

| India | Source: India Infoline Ltd

Maruti Suzuki SX4

Maruti Suzuki India Ltd (MSIL)’s FY11 annual report includes favourable comment on its commitment to alternative-fuel vehicles, in particular, its growing suite of natural gas vehicles, according to India Infoline. In August 2010 Maruti launched factory-fitted CNG variants for five of its models: Alto, WagonR, Eeco, Estilo and SX4, using its own  i-GPI (Integrated Gas Port Injection) technology. The company has committed to the continued development of alt-fuel technologies, with 2011 focusing on ‘Techno_Logical’ improvements and options. Improved CNG availability across the country is likely to see CNG models become a popular option owing to their low operational cost and environment friendliness.

Going Fishing with LNG

| Norway, Lødingen | Source: Kystmagasinet

Asbjørn Selsbane AS - Julianne III (Image: Thomas Hjønnevåg)

Norwegian fishing and marine aquaculture company Asbjørn Selsbane AS has received funding from Norway’s NOx Fund to determine the feasibility of liquefied natural gas (LNG)-powered propulsion for fishing vessels. Kystmagasinet (Coast Magazine) reports that if the project goes ahead, and this seems likely, then this will be a world-first. Read more »

Impala Taxicabs Service Chicago

| USA, Chicago IL

Chevrolet Impala 2010 - converted for CNG operation

World CNG, a Kent, Washington based company that specializes in alternative fuel packaging and applications, has delivered 20 CNG Impala taxicabs to Yellow Cab Chicago, which put them fully into service. The CNG Impalas were built at World CNG’s Washington facility and shipped to Yellow Cab Chicago in late July 2011. “We are very excited to introduce CNG taxicabs to the Chicago area,” said Garret Alpers, President of World CNG. “Hopefully, the benefits of using CNG fuel will inspire other Chicago-area fleets to make the move to CNG as well.” Read more »

CNG Taxis Deliver Rotterdam Students

| Netherlands, Rotterdam | Source: CNG Net

Natural gas taxi for Rotterdam students (Image: CNG Net)

The Rotterdam Mobility Centre (RMC), a collective of 60 taxi operators, have put 100 natural gas buses into operation for the provision of transportation for students in the city. CNG Net reports that RMC’s fleet has now grown to 115 vehicles. The natural gas vehicles are only able to access fuel at Rotterdam airport (Airportbaan 25) at present, but will be able to refill at a new station on the Colosseumweg 470 being built by CNG for opening before end of 2011. A third Rotterdam station will follow next year. A map of CNG filling stations in the Netherlands is available here.

Russia’s 5th Blue Corridor Rally Nears Start Date

| Russia | Source: NGVRUS

Preparation are underway for the fifth “Blue Corridor” rally for factory-made natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in Russia. This year organised by Gazprom Transgaz Yekaterinburg, the journey will commence October 19th in Yekaterinburg, passing through Chelyabinsk – Ufa – Orenburg – Samara – Saratov – Volgograd – Voronezh – Tambov – Tula – to reach Moscow on November 1st, at distance of 3600 km. Read more »

BAF Natural Gas Conversions Now Available at AVS

| USA, Salt Lake City UT

A BAF conversion - the dedicated CNG Ford F-250 Pickup

Alternative Vehicle Solutions (AVS), manufacturer, installer and distributor of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) systems has become an authorized dealer of natural gas conversions from BAF, a Clean Energy Company. BAF, founded in 1992, is the largest manufacturer of CNG systems for Ford vehicles in the United States.  BAF is the only CNG upfitter designated by the Ford Motor Company as a Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) for gaseous-fueled vehicles. BAF’s alternative fuel vehicle upfitting capabilities include aftermarket compressed natural gas conversions of Ford-manufactured vans, cutaway shuttles, taxis, pick-ups and light-duty trucks. Read more »

Navistar Executive Identifies Growth for Natural Gas Trucks

| USA | Source: Successful Dealer

Navistar’s sales and marketing vice president James Hebe has spoken of the rapid changes facing the trucking industry in the USA, reports Successful Dealer. Declaring the next decade one of rapid change where integrated truck technology will deliver winners and losers amongst OEMs and owner-operators, Hebe reportedly stated both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines will be used increasingly in medium-sized trucks. “Natural gas is becoming a reality,” he said.

Sacramento Council To Buy 53 LNG Refuse Trucks

| USA, Sacramento CA | Source: Government Fleet

The City of Sacramento, Calif., has authorized its Fleet Management Division to purchase 53 more LNG refuse trucks for its fleet, for USD 15.8 million, reports Government Fleet. The vehicle chassis is the Freightliner Business Class M2 truck with the Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) ISL G natural gas engine. City of Sacramento Fleet Manager Keith Leech said, “The 2011 or newer refuse truck chassis will achieve a 98 percent reduction in particulate matter and a 99 percent reduction in nitrogen oxide emissions.” The trucks will replace old, inefficient diesel-burning vehicles.

AT&T Deploys 3000th CNG Fleet Vehicle

| USA, Dallas TX

One of AT&T's corporate fleet vehicles - a Ford E-250 operating on CNG.

Corporate fleet CNG vehicles displaced 1 million gallons of petroleum in 2010

AT&T’s 10-year commitment to a cleaner corporate fleet is rolling into new territory with the launch of its 3,000th compressed natural gas vehicle (CNG) and 4,000th alternative-fuel vehicle (AFV) in its corporate vehicle fleet —with more than 2,000 AFVs deployed in California alone. The communications holding company deployed its 4,000th AFV in Chicago, IL; its 3,000th CNG in Houston, TX; and the 2,000th AFV of its California fleet in San Diego. All of the milestone vehicles are Ford E250 CNG vans.

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Ferry Feasibility Study Extols Benefits of LNG Fuel

| USA | Source: Marine Log

A feasibility study carried out by The Glosten Associates for Washington State Ferries (WSF) has revealed that utilising liquefied natural gas (LNG) as a fuel leads to significant economic and environmental benefits, reports Marine Log. The Seattle-based Naval architectural and marine engineering firm built on Glosten’s 2010 study investigating the use of LNG fuel in WSF ships, to determine the feasibility of converting WSF’s 144-car ferry design to LNG propulsion. The conversion is described as both “technically feasible and cost effective, although technical and regulatory challenges remain”. Read more »

Global Investors Support Clean Energy’s Infrastructure Drive

| USA, Seal Beach CA

Three investment companies have agreed to invest $150 million in Clean Energy Fuels Corp., provider of natural gas fuel for transportation, enabling their participation in the growing natural gas vehicle market sector in the United States. The investors are Springleaf Investments Pte. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Temasek Holdings Pte. Ltd., Lionfish Investments Pte Ltd, an investment vehicle managed by Seatown Holdings International Pte. Ltd, both based in Singapore, and Greenwich Asset Holding Ltd, a wholly-owned subsidiary of RRJ Capital Master Fund I, L.P.

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Audi Confirms Development Underway for A4 Natural Gas Variant

| Germany, Ingolstadt

Audi’s recent announcement of a forthcoming compressed natural gas powered A3, named the A3 TCNG, and a company commitment to attaining neutral CO2 balance across the entire mobility chain, has been followed up with news of another natural gas variant. Now it is the turn of the Audi A4 compact executive saloon. Although no official announcement has been made, a spokesperson from Audi’s Product and Technology Communications has confirmed with NGV Global that “Audi is developing a natural gas variant of the next generation A3 (2013) and the next generation A4 (2014).” No technical details or image for the A4 TCNG are available at this stage.

Omnitek Converts Bangladeshi Diesels for Emissions Reduction

| USA and Bangladesh

Converted Hino vehicles

Omnitek Engineering Corporation, manufacturer of natural gas engines, has had its technology employed in the conversion of 45 new diesel trucks to operate on natural gas for refuse collection in Dhaka City, Bangladesh, under a project focused on improving waste management and the environment in the country. Read more »