Volvo Launches New NG/Biomethane City Bus

| Sweden

Volvo 7900 CNG city bus

Volvo Buses has launched its new 7900 city bus in Europe. The Volvo 7900 includes a gas option (compressed natural gas / biomethane) and will be available on the market mid 2012, available in two-axle low-floor or three-axle articulated configuration. It has been designed with lighter-weight materials than its predecessor; the resulting increased capacity means the articulated gas model, for instance, can carry an additional 14 passengers. The bus derives its power from a 9 litre 6-cylinder powertrain. The Volvo D9G engine has emission levels below Euro V and EEV standards.

(This article compiled using information from Volvo Buses)

Beverage Container Recycler, UBCR, Converts Fleet to Natural Gas with Ryder

| USA, Miami FL

Ryder System, Inc., a commercial transportation, logistics and supply chain management solutions company, has been selected by UBCR, LLC as its fleet partner in a Michigan natural gas project that includes 16 heavy duty natural gas vehicles, upgrades to two maintenance facilities, and the construction of two new natural gas fueling stations. UBCR, formed out of a joint venture between Schupan and Sons, Inc. and Tomra North America, operates a single source solution for the collection, transportation and processing of aluminum cans, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and glass beverage containers from Michigan’s largest grocery retailers. Read more »

NWGA Says NGVs Cheaper, Greener, Energy Independent

| Canada and USA

While recent media and consumer attention has focused on electric and biodiesel-fueled vehicles, there is an equally strong – if not stronger – proven candidate whose potential has barely been tapped: NGVs. (Report Overview)

The Northwest Gas Association, a trade organization of the Pacific Northwest natural gas industry, has released “Natural Gas Vehicles: Today’s Transportation Solution” — a whitepaper outlining the opportunities natural gas vehicles (NGVs) provide for energy efficient, clean, safe and reliable transportation. 50 percent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are attributable to transportation in the Pacific Northwest region.
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Bolivia Adds 2 More CNG Stations

| Bolivia, Oruro | Source: La Patria

State owned and operated petroleum company YPFB Corporation has delivered another two new compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations in Bolivia, in the city of Oruro, reports La Patria. The service stations, located at Morela and San Pedro, will help ease the long queues and bring YPFB closer to its stated target of 53 CNG stations by end 2012. The stations will each supply around 150,000 cubic meters of CNG per month. Twenty percent of income will reportedly be diverted to NGV promotion and safety implementation related to cylinder inspection.

Natural Gas Vehicle Projects in Pennsylvania Receive Grants

| USA, Harrisburg PA

Pennsylvania’s  Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will award more than $4.4 million in Alternative Fuels Incentive Grants to 12 projects across the state, including 8 that focus on natural gas vehicles (NGV) and NGV infrastructure. “These projects are terrific for the state’s economy and the environment,” DEP Secretary Mike Krancer said. “We have an available, abundant, domestic, economical and clean-burning source of energy under our feet, and these projects put those resources to good use.” Read more »

Andhra Pradesh Builds CNG Bus Fleet

| India, Andhra Pradesh | Source: The Hindu

Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is set to commission another 100 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses for operation out of the Medchal and Hakimpet depots next week, reports The Hindu. Responding to an Andhra Pradesh government directive issued early this year to expand the number of CNG buses in the fleet, APSRTC reportedly procured 15o buses in March and has plans to purchase a total of 350 CNG buses for the Greater Hyderabad transport zone. The directive called for at least one-third of the 6,000 buses planned to purchase over 36 months to operate on CNG.

Honda Civic Natural Gas Finalist for Green Car Award

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas - Green Car Finalist

One of five finalists for the 2012 Green Car of the Year Award, which will be presented at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, is the Honda Civic Natural Gas.  The Green Car of the Year award is presented by Green Car Journal which is dedicated to providing avid car enthusiasts, environmentalists and everyday consumers with information about green vehicles, green energy and technologies. The Green Car of the Year award recognizes vehicles that become available by January 1 of the award year.

(This article compiled using information from an LA Auto Show press release)

 

Agreement Reached in Philippines for CNG Bus Fuel Supply

| Philippines | Source: The Manila Times

In the Philippines agreement has been reached between the government and the Malampaya consortium over the supply of compressed natural gas (CNG) for a fleet of up to 200 buses, reports The Manila Times. The consortium members include Shell Philippines Exploration B.V., Chevron Malampaya and Philippine National Oil Co. – Exploration Corp (PNOC-EC). The agreement, to run until 2018, will reportedly be signed November 3, says Omar Castillo, Philippine National Oil Co. Exploration Corp. vice president. Read more »

Altech-Eco Receives Final EPA Certifications for F-250/350

| USA, Asheville NC

Altech-Eco Corporation, a compressed natural gas (CNG) conversion systems manufacturer, has obtained Certificates of Conformity (C.O.C.) from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for both their CNG bi-fuelled and dedicated conversion systems for the 2011 Ford 6.2L V8 F-250/350 pickups with Ford supplied CNG gaseous prepped engine. Read more »

SoCalGas Brings Galileo CNG Refuelling Microbox to USA

| USA, Los Angeles CA

Galileo's Microbox modular CNG fuelling station

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas), a natural gas distribution utility, has launched a field demonstration of natural gas vehicle fueling technology that aims to significantly reduce costs and increase performance. The Microbox, developed by Argentina’s Galileo Corp. and used extensively internationally, is being showcased for the first time in the United States at SoCalGas’ Riverside customer service base. The compact, self-contained fueling station provides compressed natural gas at about $2 per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) to vehicles operated by the city and county of Riverside, AT&T, SoCalGas as well as regional school bus and taxi companies and consumer vehicles. Read more »

Slovakia Adds New CNG Stations

| Slovakia, Bratislava | Source: cng.auto.pl

The Komarno CNG station ready for launch.

Over recent months two new compressed natural gas (CNG) refuelling stations have opened in Slovakia, reports Poland’s CNG.auto.pl. The stations are located in the southern cities of Komarno and Nove Mesto nad Váhom, providing self-service refuelling 24 hours a day all year round. Operated by the country’s major natural gas supplier SPP, refuelling requires an SPP access card which operates across all company refuelling sites.

Read more »

Arkansas Conversion Rebate Program Expanded

| USA, Arkansas | Source: The City Wire

AOG's CNG dispenser displays GGE price for consumers

The US state of Arkansas’s Energy Office has received such a positive response to its Compressed Natural Gas Conversion rebate program that it has expanded eligibility, reports The City Wire. The rebate program, made possible with $2.2 million funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), was originally only available to vehicle fleets (light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles, traditional mass transit buses, and school buses). Now the program will include all Arkansas licensed vehicles eligible for conversion. Read more »

Landi Renzo Dual-Fuel System Developed for Perugia Bus Fleet

The Ecoe Dual-Fuel System

Landi Renzo has developed for Ecoè, a company owned by Umbria Mobilità, a dual-fuel supply system (60% natural gas, 40% diesel) for the public bus fleet in the territory of Perugia, Italy, reports NGV System Italia. The system takes advantage of the widespread adoption of natural gas as a transportation fuel in the country, ensuring driving performance similar to full diesel operation while offering significant savings on fuel consumption. The initiative is part of a major awareness project that Landi Renzo is delivering to local governments of large Italian cities to promote increased sustainable mobility. Read more »

New York Approves the MV-1 for Use as City Taxi

| USA, Miami FL

The Miami-based Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG)’s MV-1 motor vehicle has been approved by the NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission for use as a New York City taxicab. VPG says the MV-1 is the first and only factory-built and assembled vehicle that meets or exceeds the vehicle guidelines of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). It is also the first time since the fabled “Checker Cab” that a purpose-built vehicle has been approved for operation. Read more »

ANGVA 2011 Opens in China

| China, Beijing

Mr Zhao Hang (right) and other dignitaries declare ANGVA 2011 open.

The 4th Asia-Pacific Natural Gas Vehicles Association Conference and Exhibition with the theme “Natural Gas for Vehicles - Driving the Future Cleaner” has opened in Beijing with Chinese government representatives, distinguished guests, participants and visitors being welcomed by the President of CATARC and Chairman of the event organizing committee, Mr Zhao Hang. More than 170 exhibitors are present; conference participants and exhibitors have arrived from more than 30 countries. Read more »