Utilimaster, a subsidiary of Spartan Motors, Inc. and manufacturer of walk-in vans and commercial truck bodies for the U.S. delivery and service marketplace, has taken steps to immerse itself in that country’s growing natural gas vehicle industry. It has formed an alliance with LandiRenzo to offer Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) conversions on Isuzu NPR-HD Gas vehicles. It has also formed a preferred installer agreement with BAF Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp.
LandRenzo Alliance
The alliance with LandiRenzo , an alternative fuel solutions provider, complements Utilimaster experience gained from providing alternative fuel solutions including LPG, CNG and plug-in electric since 2003. The Utilimaster/LandiRenzo CNG conversions can be installed adjacent to the Isuzu NPR gas assembly plant on the Spartan Motors Charlotte, Mich., campus or at Isuzu dealerships with training provided by Utilimaster Field Services teams.
John Forbes, President, Utilimaster Corporation, commented, “With the rise in fuel prices, Utilimaster is offering fleet owners a green solution with field-proven financial returns. We are unique to offer the solution at our OEM assembly plant and offer in-field, on-site installations.”
BAF Technologies Agreement
Under the agreement with BAF, Utilimaster is appointed the exclusive and preferred installer of the BAF Compressed Natural Gas system on the Ford F-59 walk-in van stripped chassis. The solution achieved both EPA and CARB certifications.
BAF, a provider of natural gas vehicle systems in the United States, has collaborated with Utilimaster to develop a dedicated solution to support the delivery and service markets. This partnership builds on the Utilimaster strategic vision of offering a full portfolio of alternate fuel and field service solutions.
“Alliances with companies like BAF Technologies provides Utilimaster clients with a professional partnership of project management, engineering and fleet solutions while positioning Utilimaster for long term growth,” said Forbes.
Compressed Natural Gas equipped vehicles provide a 65% fuel savings while utilizing natural gas, 90% of which is produced domestically. CNG also offers up to a 75% reduction in NOx of and a 25% reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse gases.
Utilimaster has a proprietary alternative fuels program offering that assesses customer needs, formulates the best solution, develops the business case, manages the deployment project plan, and provides product training/support.
(Source: Utilimaster)
