USA, New York State

The Board of the Town of Brookhaven (Long Island, NY) has passed two key resolutions to switch trash trucks to natural gas.  One resolution awards 13 'NGV only' contracts to private trash haulers for the collection of refuse, recyclables and yard waste for their 35 collection bid areas (CBAs).  The second resolution awards a contract to Clean Energy to construct a CNG fuelling station at the Yaphank landfill, and provides a pricing agreement for a seven-year period.   The new contracts will take effect on January 1, 2009.

USA, California

California's South Coast Air Quality Management District (SQAQMD) has approved $11.7 million in funding for 130 natural gas-powered trucks to be deployed in the ports of LA and Long Beach in Cal Cartage’s drayage operation.  The trucks will be manufactured by Sterling Trucks (see NGV Global story on the Sterling Trucks ), and be powered by Cummins Westport’s ISL G natural gas engine.  Funding was provided by the South Coast AQMD at the level of $90,000 per truck.  Of this, $50, 000 was from the Prop 1B Early Program and $40, 000 was from AQMD.  Combined with the $32,000 federal tax credit, these trucks are eligible for the total incentive package was $122,000. 

The Union Bus Service Company of Thailand has placed an order with Advanced Engine Components Limited (AEC) to build and deliver compressed natural gas (CNG) engines, with a sales value of approx $470,000. AEC installs the natural gas vehicle systems on the selected Chinese base engines and sells the completed CNG engines to the JV. 

Fiat is reportedly planning on introducing a natural gas-fuelled version of its Palio compact in the Indian market in 2009. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is a popular fuel in India, especially for buses. There are also ongoing experiments  with using Hythane, a blend of 20 percent hydrogen gas along with the natural gas. The Palio hatchback is already available with both petrol and diesel engines in India. 

China, Chaoyang City

Chaoyang City's (Liaoning Province) transportation management department has recently held an introductory forum with the intention of accelerating natural gas vehicle use in the city.  Two compressed natural gas (CNG) stations have recently been put into service in the city. This number will double by 2010 by which time 3000 CNG taxis and buses are expected to be on the cities roads. 

USA, Seal Beach CA

Clean Energy Fuels Corp. has been awarded a contract to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) for the City of Fresno, California municipal refuse fleet for up to five years, expanding a fueling relationship begun in 2004. The Fresno municipal refuse fleet now comprises 80 natural gas trucks and the city has ordered 22 additional natural gas trucks, making it the largest municipal liquefied natural gas refuse fleet in California's Central valley and second largest in California. Fresno is the 6th largest city in California.

Australia, Perth

Eden Energy, parent company of US based Hythane Company, is taking a bullish view of the Indian market, projecting growth of 1170% in the sales of hythane fueled buses over the coming 4 years. Their confidence is based on recent initiatives undertaken by the Indian Government, including a plan to use natural gas as a major vehicle and power generation fuel.

USA, Los Altos CA

Baytech Corporation has received 2008 EPA and CARB certifications for their compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane fueled GM 8.1L and 6.0L heavy-duty engines. The heavy-duty engines, now available for new 2008 and 2009 model year vehicles, are offered in both dedicated CNG or propane and dual fuel (CNG or gasoline and propane or gasoline) configurations in all 50 US states.

China, Beijing

Sinoenergy Corporation has announced the opening of a new retail compressed natural gas (CNG) filling station and completion of construction of another new retail CNG filling station. The newly opened retail CNG filling station, Jianxilu Station, is located in the city of Ping Ding Shan, Henan Province. It began to sell CNG for use in CNG powered vehicles late last month. Jianxilu Station is the first CNG filling station in Ping Ding Shan. The newly constructed Dawulu Station, also in Ping Ding Shan, is undergoing final equipment testing and is expected to commence operations later this month.

Germany, Munich 

Natural gas vehicles (NGVs) and biomethane as a fuel are proving to be a prominent drawcard at the 15th  International Trade Fair for Water, Sewage, Refuse and Recycling (IFAT), currently underway in Munich. The fair features a world premiere showing of Dutch built Ravo street sweepers. The Ravo is powered by an Iveco natural gas engine, producing 136 hp and carrying a 2.9 tonne payload. On board fuel storage of 65 kgs provides enough fuel for an 8 hour shift without refueling. Also featured at IFAT were natural gas powered trucks and vans from Iveco and MercedesBenz.