USA, Oklahoma

Lloyd G. Austin – 57 died on Tuesday March 4th, 2008, as a result of a tragic plane crash, which also took the lives of Garth Bates, President United Engines, and Frank Pool, vice president. Lloyd was born on July 27th, 1950, in Fredonia Kansas and grew up in Alamosa, CO.  He was a Vietnam veteran serving with the Navy Seabees.  During his career he worked for Stewart & Stevenson Services Inc. Denver CO.  He then moved to Waterloo, Ontario Canada and founded GFI Control Systems Inc. serving as President and CEO.   He moved to Palm Coast from Canada in 2004.  Since 2006, Lloyd has been vice- president of United Holdings which is an affiliate of United Engines in Oklahoma City. (image source - Kitchener Waterloo Record).

Canada & USA

New Flyer Industries Inc., a major manufacturer of heavy-duty transit vehicles in Canada and the United States, has issued a market update, indicating  significant number of compressed natural gas (CNG) bus on their order books. The largest of these recent new orders was awarded by Metropolitan Transit System in San Diego, CA totaling $151 million, which included 50 40-foot CNG buses with options for an additional 300 buses. On the schedule is another stand out CNG item - Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada in Las Vegas, NV has ordered 47 40-foot CNG buses with options for an additional 30 buses. 

USA, Oklahoma City

Chesapeake Energy, the third largest producer of natural gas in the U.S. and the first among independents, has begun to introduce natural gas vehicles to its fleet, which totals some 2,600 trucks, vans and cars. The firm is stepping up the promotion of natural gas as a vehicle fuel. Last week they completed the promotional wrap of two Chevrolet C5500 shuttle buses with 8.1-liter engines converted to natural gas operation using Baytech systems installed by BAF Technologies. More information - Fleets and Fuels.

First NG Sprinter built from 'first principles'

Mercedes-Benz has started series production of a natural gas version of the Sprinter, with market launch targeted for May 2008. The Sprinter NGT meets Euro 4 emissions standards and is targetted at fleet operators. Mercedes says that emissions of nitrogen oxides, hydrocarbons and carbon dioxide have also been reduced dramatically compared with the diesel engine. CO2 savings are around 20% compared to gasoline, and the vehicle is virtually carbon neutral when powered by biogas. Running costs are said to be close to 30% lower than a comparable diesel model variants.

It would appear that the price of oil is going to be $100 per barrel or more for the foreseeable future.  As it's recent meeting, OPEC decided that while it is not going to cut production, it will not increase it.  It would also appear that there is likely to be a downturn in the economies all the developed countries which will naturally lead to reduced demand for oil.  However the demand for oil is increasing in Asia which at least to some extent will counteract the reduced demand for oil in other parts of the world.  In addition there is some doubt of the ability of OPEC to increase production. 

USA, Washington, D.C.

Cleaner & Cheaper

According to NGVAmerica President, Rich Kolodziej, natural gas powered commercial vehicles (NGVs) offers a timely economical alternative that is available right now. While our attention is focussed on reduction of green house gas emissions from light-duty vehicles, with alternatives such as the Toyota gasoline-hybrid Prius or the Honda natural gas GX being promoted, Kolodziej says much more immediate steps can be taken in the medium to heavy duty transport area.

Germany, Berlin

Save money and environment

Natural gas buses are more economical than diesel buses, according to an investigation carried out by economic consulting firm WIBERA. In addition to the undoubted environmental benefits, natural gas buses can also score points with economic benefits. The study showed that in a realistic full cost comparison natural gas buses are more than 3,000 euros per year cheaper than diesel buses.

The date for the premier international NGV event is rapidly approaching.  NGV2008 will be held on 3 – 5 June in Rio de Janiero.  All NGV industry members and supporters are invited to attend the conference and exhibition.

In addition, the IANGV Technical committee meeting will be held on Mon 2 June and the IANGV Council meeting will be held on Friday 6 June.  These 2 meetings are important for the NGV industry.  Over the years since 1986, many decisions have been made which subsequently have had a profound effect on the industry.

I look forward to seeing you in Rio. www.ibp.org.br/ngv2008

The European Union has firmed its commitment to participate in the Methane to Markets Partnership, the world’s largest exchange of methane-based energy resources. “The Methane to Markets partnership is an important initiative in reducing methane emissions and thereby helping to combat global warming,” said EU energy commissioner Andris Piebalgs. “It will directly contribute to the European Commission’s goal of limiting global warming to 2 degrees Celsius.” The EU accession brings the Methane to Markets membership to 21 parties, with representation from every continent except Antarctica. 

Mexico

olombian based GNC (Gas Natural Comprimido) under their brand name Gazel has come to Mexico to build and operate 30 compressed natural gas (CNG) service stations, according to a report released on El Porvenir.com . Antonio Celia, president of Promigas, of which GNC is a subsidiary, told The Economist that as a first step, the business plan of the company for the next five or six years is to invest  45 million dollars on the installation of the 30 service stations. He added that they believe there are great opportunities in the country, where natural gas is 30% cheaper than gasoline. Gazel is promoting the competitive price of natural gas and the inherent environmental benefits of switching to natural gas. 

Austria

Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX to be 100 percent biogas operated

The OMV CNG (compressed natural gas) Rally Team is currently gearing up for the 2008 Austrian Championship, this time to be powered by biomethane (biogas). The cooperation between OMV Gas International Ltd., Stohl-Racing and the driver-duo Beppo Harrach and Andreas Schindlbacher is expected to yield another high performance year, building on the successes of 2006 and 2007. Their confidence is built on new techniques for production of clean natural gas from bio sources, in particular the unique work being done at the OMV funded biogas plant in Bruck / Leitha (Lower Austria) funded by OMV's Future Energy Fund.

USA

Last week, the Western Governors’ Association (WGA) released a new policy report advocating increased use of alternative fuels.  The report, entitled “Transportation Fuels for the Future,” includes a number of recommendations for advancing the use of alternative fuels while reducing petroleum use.  The report acknowledges that one of the “most critical issues facing our nation is our dependence on petroleum for nearly all of our transportation fuel.”  The report concludes that there is no silver-bullet approach that will solve our energy dependence.  The report and its recommendations indicate that many different alternative fuels should be encouraged.  Fuel efficiency, mass transit and smart growth strategies also must play a role in reducing petroleum use and reducing climate change emissions.

USA, San Francisco

The number of San Francisco alternative-fuel taxi cabs is expected to double by 2011 in response to legislation signed off by City Mayor Gavin Newsom. A higher gate fee will be imposed, which will allow taxi cab companies to purchase new alternative fuel vehicles and supply them to drivers. Taxi drivers also benefit with lower gas costs associated with more efficient vehicles that get better gas mileage, or use less expensive alternative fuels."Transportation accounts for over half of San Francisco´s greenhouse gas emissions, and it is imperative that we look to this sector for commensurate emissions reductions," said Mayor Newsom. "The legislation I am signing today complements the pledge I made in 2006 for an all-green taxi fleet and provides a mandate for cab companies to convert their vehicles." Approximately 15% of today´s fleet is either Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or hybrid vehicles. 

Spain

Gas Natural and Carrefour have reportedly signed a framework agreement to develop the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) as fuel for light vehicles in Spain. The CEO of Gas Natural Solutions, Josep Codorniu, and the chief financial officer of Carrefour, Mark Parada, have agreed to explore the incorporation of natural gas pumps at Carrefour service stations in Spain. Carrefour is also considering incorporating natural gas as the fuel of choice for its vehicle fleet, and that of a third party which conducts its logistics. 

USA, California

California Gov. Schwarzenegger has announced $394 million for transit projects to keep the State's economy moving while at the same time protecting the environment. Among the stimulus packages is funding for projects to "improve air quality by taking cars off the road and further encourage the use of public transit, benefiting California's environment for years to come," said California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Linda Adams. Some of the notable compressed natural gas (CNG) projects approved for funding are:

• Fresno - $2.5 million to the city of Fresno to purchase cleaner CNG buses to replace older buses that emit more air pollutants.
• Los Angeles - funds for purchasing 95 new CNG buses
• Orange County - $25.2 million to the Orange County Transportation Authority to build CNG fueling infrastructure in Garden Grove, Anaheim and Irvine, and to purchase paratransit vehicles for persons with disabilities.

Switzerland, Geneva

"Near production" concept vehicle on display in Geneva

Hyundai has put their i-blue range on show at the 2008 Geneva International Motor Show, featuring a new compressed natural gas (CNG) variant. Though the company has also designed a diesel variant it describes the CNG version as the "ultimate solution of an ecologically optimized vehicle", due to the use of a newly developed 0.8L 3-cylinder turbocharged CNG engine (98PS). The i10 blue CNG reaches class leading level of just 65g/km CO2. Small it may be but according to Hyundai the CO2 savings and surprising power output will make up for any size concerns buyers may have; output of 96.6hp from the tiny motor gives the i10 blue a specific output of 120.75hp/L.

Switzerland, Geneva

Volkswagen has unveiled its Passat Estate TSI EcoFuel concept car at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The EcoFuel concept’s engine can be fuelled by either natural gas or conventional petrol and comes with both a supercharger and a turbocharger which operate sequentially to provide relatively high power outputs from what is a small capacity, 1.4 litre power unit.

UK, London

Volkswagen Group United Kingdom Limited have announced the availability of the compressed natural gas (CNG) EcoFuel Caddy in the UK from the end of 2008. Brochures have already been released for the vehicle which is expected to almost match the model currently available in the rest of Europe, but fitted for right hand drive operations. The vehicle has a driving range of around 350 miles. 

USA, California

To help improve regional air quality, Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) has entered a collaborative demonstration effort with California Cartage Co. (Cal Cartage) and Autocar to develop and put into service the nation’s first CNG trucks used to transport containers off-loaded from ships.   Five trucks will be delivered in June 2008 and used to move containers between the San Pedro Bay ports, which include the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports, to nearby freight-consolidation yards.

The following is a press release issued by NGVAmerica in response to diesel industry criticisms of the recent Port of Long Beach alternative fuel initiativies.

Washington DC  -  On February 19, 2008, the Long Beach Board of Harbor Commissioners voted to replace and modernize the entire port trucking fleet of 16,800 vehicles with "no less than 50% run on alternative fuels proven to be cleaner than diesel, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG)."  The port's goal is to reduce port-related air pollution from diesel exhaust by 80 percent. Not surprisingly, some in the diesel industry have questioned the value of replacing diesel trucks with LNG trucks, and have attempted to say that it makes no economic or environmental difference.   They are wrong.