Category: Market Developments

CNG is NOT for LPG Systems – Safety Bulletin

March 12, 2010 – 6:39 pm

Death Trap - an illegal CNG to LPG adapter

Recent incidents in Sweden have prompted the IANGV to issue a reminder to motorists that compressed natural gas (CNG) is not suitable for cars fitted with LPG (liquefied petroleum gas or propane) systems. As LPG systems are not designed to cope with the pressure of CNG systems, components and cylinders have been known to burst with drastic consequences. Despite strict standards being enforced worldwide for CNG dispensing systems, motorists have circumvented the system using dangerous, illegally manufactured adaptors. Motivated to save a few dollars on fuel, many motorists have paid a higher price through injury and even death.
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Categories: CNG Cylinders, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Safety, Safety & Standards | Tags: , , | Comments (0)

Madrid Towing Vehicles Switch to CNG

March 12, 2010 – 6:26 pm | Spain, Madrid
Madrid Movilidad tow trucks - yet another application for CNG

Madrid Movilidad tow trucks - yet another application for CNG

Madrid Movilidad SA is contributing further to environmental sustainability for the City of Madrid by commencing a program to replace 71 towing vehicles in its fleet with low-emission vehicles, including 16 that will operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). The replacement program to phase in the new trucks will be completed by the end of this year, part of a seven million Euro program that runs into 2014. The Euro V trucks will meet EEV (Environmentally enhanced vehicle) requirements.

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Natural Gas Buses for Atlanta Coming On Line

March 6, 2010 – 11:34 pm | Source: pbaonline | USA, Atlanta GA

One of the new CNG buses joins the MARTA fleet

The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority is rolling out new CNG buses, one at a time, as part of its policy to replace obsolete stock with new environmentally friendly buses. According to a report by pbaonline that policy has set a limit of twelve years or 500,000 miles, whichever comes first. 18 of the new buses are being funded with American Recovery and Reinvestment (ARRA) funds.
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Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Fleets, Market Developments | Tags: , , , | Comments (0)

Russian Billionaire Kickstarts NGV Production in Russia

March 6, 2010 – 1:53 pm | Source: RIA Novosti | Russia, Togliatta

The AvtoVAZ site in Tolyatti

The Russian city of Togliatta (Tolyatti), near the Volga River in the Samara Oblast, is a struggling automotive manufacturing hub. Now the city’s economy is about to be boosted by a new hybrid car project that is the brainchild of Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov – said to be the first project of its kind in the country. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has reportedly backed a proposal to build a pilot factory with a capacity of 10,000 vehicles, that will produce bi-fuel (natural gas/gasoline) cars, according to RIA Novosti.
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Categories: Business, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Infrastructure, Market Developments, Vehicles, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , | Comments (0)

Lincoln Composites Obtains Initial Order for TITAN™ Modules

March 6, 2010 – 9:40 am | USA, Lincoln NE

Lincoln Titan bulk gas transport module

Lincoln Composites, US-based subsidiary of Norway’s Hexagon Composites ASA, has received a purchase order for two TITAN™ modules for the storage and transportation of compressed natural gas (CNG) in the Dominican Republic. In placing this order, Linea Clave will become the first to operate a TITAN™ bulk gas hauling system in the Western Hemisphere. The modules will be used to deliver natural gas to the Consorcio Energetico Punta Cana-Macao (CEPM) power generation station in the eastern part of the Dominican Republic.
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Categories: Business, CNG Cylinders, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Market Developments | Tags: | Comments (0)

CNG-fuelled Bus Completes 322,000 Km Altoona Test – All Clear

March 5, 2010 – 8:38 am | USA, Chino CA
Creative Bus CNG installation trumps at Altoona

Creative Bus CNG installation all clear at Altoona

A CNG fueled cutaway bus recently completed the demanding Altoona Bus Test without any unscheduled maintenance or repairs to the CNG fuel system. Built on the Ford E-450 chassis, the cutaway bus is 25′ in length and has a passenger capacity of twenty one. The proprietary compressed natural gas fuel system was designed and installed in California by Creative Bus Sales, a company that specializes in CNG bus conversions.
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Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Engines, Market Developments, Technology, Vehicles, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , , | Comments (0)

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter NGT Now Available in Australia

March 4, 2010 – 5:11 pm | Australia

The Sprinter NGT - bi-fuel model now available in Australia

For the first time, Mercedes-Benz Australia is offering a factory-fitted bi-fuel natural gas alternative to the Australian marketplace – the EU5-compliant Sprinter NGT. The bi-fuel vehicle (which operates on both petrol and natural gas, alternating at the push of a button) is available as the 316 NGT (Mid-Wheelbase and Long-Wheelbase van and cab-chassis) and the 516 NGT (single cab-chassis). Thanks to mechanical supercharging, the engine develops an output of 115 kW and a maximum torque of 240 Nm. These figures apply whether in natural gas or petrol operation, outperforming the previous versions of Sprinter available in Australia.
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Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Market Developments, Vehicles, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , | Comments (0)

Philippines CNG Bus Plans Expand to Include the Visayas by 2015

March 3, 2010 – 10:42 pm | Philippines, Iloilo City

Buses fuelled by compressed natural gas (CNG) are expected to operate in the Visayas, the central region of the Philippines, by 2015, according to a Philippine Government Information Agency report.  Around 178 buses are expected to be CNG-fueled by 2015 and 1,314 buses by 2030, said Assistant Director Carmencita A. Bariso of the Department of Energy. Implementation will bolster the government’s efforts to attain energy sufficiency and independence from foreign oil.
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Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Country Reports, Fleets, Infrastructure, Market Developments, Vehicles & Fuels | Tags: , , | Comments (0)

Energtek Joins Filipino NGV Program

March 3, 2010 – 3:47 pm | Philippines, Manila

Energtek Philippines Inc., a fully-owned subsidiary of Energtek Inc., a developer of Adsorbed Natural Gas (ANG) technology, has been certified as a duly accredited participant in the Filipino Natural Gas Vehicle Program for Public Transport (NGVPPT). The company’s CNG Lite(TM) system for small vehicles is particularly suitable for tricycles, one of the most popular forms of transportation in the Philippines.
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Fiat Sets New Benchmark with Twin-Air Bi-fuel Engine

March 3, 2010 – 2:19 am | Italy
Fiat 900cc two-cylinder TwinAir engine

The Fiat 900cc two-cylinder Twin-Air engine - launched in Geneva

The Twin-Air engine will produce less than 100gms/km CO2

Visitors to the Geneva Motor Show this year will find the two cylinder 85 HP Twin-Air (900 cc) engine, developed by Fiat Powertrain Technologies to run on either natural gas or petrol. In the world preview, the engine will be displayed both in a showcase and fitted aboard a Fiat 500, the first model on which it will be introduced next September. Performance details are expected to be revealed at the show.
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Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Emissions, Engines, Market Developments, Technology, Vehicles, Vehicles & Fuels | Comments (1)

Everest Kanto Enjoys Solid CNG Cylinder Orders

March 2, 2010 – 11:35 am | India

Chanda Makhija Thadani, company secretary for Everest Kanto Cylinder Ltd,  has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange that the Company and its wholly owned subsidiaries have received three significant orders, from India, the United Arab Emirates and China, totalling USD 27 million.
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Diesel Buses to be Regulated out of Madrid

March 2, 2010 – 1:37 am | Source: NGVA Europe | Spain, Madrid

Madrid is continuing its drive for clean air by preparing to regulate the purchase of new taxis and buses that run on diesel, according to an NGVA Europe report. The action makes the city the first in Europe to act against diesel for environmental reasons and states that while the municipality will not force the purchase of any special equipment, it will be acting against both CO2 and NO2 emissions.
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Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Fleets, Market Developments, Policy | Tags: , , , | Comments (0)

Foton America Signs Class 3 Truck Distributors. Bus Plans Progressing

March 1, 2010 – 7:15 pm | USA

Foton MD15 Light Truck

Foton America, the US agent for Chinese sourced compressed natural gas (CNG) Foton trucks and buses, has signed arrangements with alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) distributor, Venta Inc. for the distribution of Class 3 trucks for the US market. Venta has announced subsequent retail agreements with EVCARVO, a retailer of AFVs across the US.  The trucks are to be made available with engines from Foton’s engine manufacturing arm, Foton Lovol. EPA testing is scheduled to end in late May prior to certification being granted. Foton America vice president, Jared Schnader told NGV Global plans to introduce Foton buses to the US market are also progressing, with a test bus currently under preparation for EPA testing.

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CNG or LPG Kits Now Obligatory for All New Rickshaws

March 1, 2010 – 2:59 pm | Source: Times of India | India, Pune

TVS King cng-powered auto rickshaws on sale in India

In a move aimed at promoting the use of cleaner vehicle fuels, the Regional Transport Office (RTO) of Pune has made it obligatory for all new rickshaws in the city to have CNG or LPG kits from March 1 onwards, reports the Times of India. Regional transport officer Chandrakant Kharatmal said, “The directive making installation of CNG/LPG kits mandatory in new rickshaws was finalised by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in January.”

Regional transport officer Chandrakant Kharatmal said, “The directive making installation of CNG/LPG kits mandatory in new rickshaws was finalised by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) in January. The decision will come into force from March 1.”

Kharatmal said, “The move is a step towards promoting the use of cleaner fuels, thus restricting the pollution caused by petrol and diesel vehicles. Using CNG is an environment-friendly option and it is also in the interest of rickshaw drivers as it saves running costs.” Nearly 4,000 new rickshaws are registered in the city annually and manufacturing companies have been told to install the kits, he added.

Categories: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Market Developments, Policy, Vehicles | Tags: , | Comments (0)

SGS Accredited as Spain’s First Authorized Inspection Company for CNG Cylinders

February 28, 2010 – 4:01 pm | Spain

Global inspection, verification, testing and certification company SGS SA is the first inspection company in Spain to obtain authorization to conduct visual inspections of cylinders for compressed natural gas vehicles from the Departamento de Innovación, Universidades y Empresas de la Generalitat de Cataluña. The authorization comes at a time when natural gas transportation is experiencing rapid growth around the world.
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Categories: CNG Cylinders, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), Market Developments | Tags: , | Comments (0)