French automotive innovator and manufacturer FAM presented a virtual natural gas/biomethane to electric traction concept vehicle in November last year. A project of FAM and natural gas supplier GDF SUEZ, the vehicle aimed to demonstrate the technical and environmental potential offered by the combination of gas and electricity energy on small vehicles segment present in urban areas. It has done that successfully, capturing the interest of city mayors and local government. Two prototypes have been produced for homologations and to optimize the design. Read more »
Clean Air Power One Step Closer to US Market Readiness
First trial trucks should be in operation in late 2013
Clean Air Power, developer of dual-fuel combustion technology that enables heavy-duty diesel engines to operate on a combination of diesel and natural gas, has successfully completed the feasibility evaluation of a Genesis EDGE solution for the US market and their Board has approved the internal development program. The work was carried out by Clean Air Power’s Technical Advisory Board, chaired by Prof. Dr Karl Viktor Schaller. Read more »
M/S Viking Grace Launched
M/S Viking Grace, said to be the first large passenger vessel (gross tonnage 57,000) in the world fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG), was launched at STX Finland’s shipyard in Turku earlier this month. By using this fuel alternative, Viking Line will reduce emissions: nitrogen by 85%, CO2 by 20%; sulphur and particulate emissions are practically zero. Read more »
US Fuel Supplier Gulf Oil Adds LNG Trucks to Fleet
Gulf Oil LP, a national branded supplier of motor fuels throughout the United States and its territories, has deployed 34 transport trucks that run on liquefied natural gas (LNG). In addition, Gulf will soon be supplying and distributing LNG as a cost-effective, clean alternative fuel to customers in the transportation sector and other interested bulk users. Gulf’s move into the LNG marketplace is part of the company’s ongoing strategy to diversify its energy offerings and provide the marketplace with a fuel alternative that is cheaper, cleaner, and domestic. Read more »
Navistar Considers CNG Truck Introduction in Mexico
Navistar WorkStar 7400 tractor
Navistar Mexico, Navistar Inc.’s manufacturing and business presence in Mexico with its headquarters in Mexico City, has declared its intention to begin testing domestic market response to its range of compressed natural gas (CNG) powered trucks. CEO Carlos Pardo, in an interview with T21, explained that, given Mexico’s government-driven push to take up natural gas as an alternative to diesel, opportunity had been created for testing CNG trucks with large corporations handling product distribution, as a precursor to Navistar product introduction in 2013. Read more »
Kenworth Doubles T800 Range with Dual LNG Tanks
Kenworth T800: double LNG tanks extends range to 1100+ kms
Kenworth Truck has boosted the operating range of its natural gas powered T800 Day Cab and Extended Day Cab models by offering an additional 60 diesel gallon equivalent LNG fuel tank as a buyer option. Equipped with dual Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) tanks and 15-liter Westport GX engines from Westport Innovations, the trucks will double their range to 700 miles (1126 kms), increasing versatility and appeal for long distance truck fleets. Read more »
U.S. Survey Shows Big Interest in NGVs By Class 8 Truckers
“The survey confirms the growing interest in natural gas by carriers” – Richard Mikes, TCP partner
Transport Capital Partners (TCP), provider of transportation advisory services and Americas Commercial Transportation (ACT) Research, industry data analyst and forecaster, have released the results of a survey of U.S. carriers/shippers concerning their views about the potential use of natural gas for their fleets. Of the carriers surveyed, 44.4 percent had a length of haul of between 300-600 miles and 90.3 percent used their Class 8 trucks. Read more »
Reading Buses Orders 19 Scania ADL Gas-Powered Buses
Scania chassis, ADL design, natural gas fueled
In a move designed to reduce its carbon footprint and drive down operating cost, UK bus company Reading Buses is to invest GBP 3.5m (USD 5.5m) in a fleet of 19 natural gas-powered buses developed jointly by Scania (Great Britain) Limited and Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL). They will be the first Scania-ADL gas buses to enter service in the United Kingdom and will operate on a variety of services in and around the Reading area. Read more »
New Fiat Siena Tetra Fuel comes with Incentives for Taxi Operators
Fiat Grand Siena Tetra Fuel MY 2013
Last week in Recife, Brazil, the managing director of Fiat Chrysler Financial for Latin America, Pablo di Si was joined by the Governor of the state of Pernambuco, Eduardo Campos, and representatives of government and the Copergás Taxi Drivers’ Union to unveil the new Grand Siena Tetra Fuel, a Fiat model that is unique to the country, reports vrum. The 1.4 liter 75 hp Siena, which can operate on gasoline, ethanol, alcohol and compressed natural gas (CNG), was presented as an incentivised alternative for taxi operators wanting to use CNG. Read more »
Gazprom to Develop NGV Fuel Market in Belarus
Belarus GTS Planning Meeting (Image: Gazprom)
Alexey Miller, Chairman of the Gazprom Management Committee, has held a meeting in the town of Kobrin in the Republic of Belarus, to discuss development of the Beltransgaz gas transmission system, now 100% owned by Gazprom. Part of the discussion focused on Gazprom’s goal of extending the natural gas vehicle (NGV) fuel market in Belarus. Together with the Belarusian state authorities the Company plans to elaborate the measures aimed at increasing NGV fuel sales and the NGV fleet as well as expanding the compressed natural gas (CNG) filling network and appropriate service centers.
(This article compiled using information from a Gazprom press release)
Landfill Gas Captured for Transport Fuel in Republic Services – Clean Energy Agreement
Republic Services Landfill
Expanding the availability of renewable natural gas, nationwide solid waste operator Republic Services, Inc. has entered into an agreement with Clean Energy Renewable Fuels (CERF), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp., to recover landfill gas from its North Shelby Landfill in Millington, Tennessee for multiple uses including as a vehicle fuel for its growing natural gas-powered fleet. Read more »
Gasunie and Vopak Sign Shell as Launching Customer for LNG Break Bulk Terminal
Gasunie-Vopak LNG Terminal and Break Bulk facility (Gate)
“A major step in facilitating LNG as an effective alternative for traditional transport fuels” – Eelco Hoekstra, Chairman
Gas infrastructure company N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie (Gasunie) and liquid bulk storage provider Royal Vopak (Vopak) have signed an agreement with Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) as launching customer for their liquefied natural gas (LNG) Break Bulk terminal, to be constructed at the Maasvlakte near Rotterdam. The purpose of this terminal is to make LNG available for distribution to marine bunkering and truck fuelling stations. In this way LNG can be used as a clean alternative transport fuel. Read more »
EPM Enters Natural Gas Vehicle Business
In the Department of Antioquia, in Colombia’s northwest, utilities company Empresas Públicas de Medellín (EPM) has decided to broaden its activities to embrace the business of natural gas for transportation. EPM’s Board says the move is in keeping with its socially responsible actions and respect for the environment, and a firm commitment to the concept of sustainable mobility. Consequently it has approved an investment plan that includes the purchase of service stations, building new ones and form alliances and agreements with various market players to boost fuel use in the region. Read more »
Chicago Paratransit Fleet Chooses Dodge Grand Caravan CNG
Dodge Grand Caravan CNG
World CNG, a company specializing in natural gas vehicle conversions is to build eleven Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered Dodge Grand Caravans for SCR Medical Transportation of Chicago. Over the next month, these cleaner-burning vehicles will be integrated into SCR’s fleet that provides paratransit services in a six county area of northeastern Illinois. Each Dodge Grand Caravan CNG is outfitted with an ElDorado National side-loading wheelchair ramp and 11.2 GGEs of CNG fuel storage that provide up to 200 miles (322 km) of range. Read more »
German Transport Association Names VW eco up! for Environmental Car Award
The annual evaluation of climate-friendly cars in Germany has once again yielded a natural gas vehicle as best car. The Verkehrsclub Deutschland (VCD) — Transport Association Germany — awarded five stars and overall first place for 2012/2013 to the VW eco up!, even though the vehicle is yet to reach suppliers. It will be available to order from autumn 2012. Read more »
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