RMIT Student Project on Cryogenic Liquid Methane Aircraft Reaches Airbus Finals

| Australia, Melbourne
RMIT's CLiMA design Bio-LNG answer for aviation

RMIT’s CLiMA team design a Bio-LNG answer for aviation

A team of Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) aerospace engineering students is headed to France after making it to the final five of an international Airbus competition. The Cryogenic Liquid Methane Aircraft (CLiMA) team is one of five finalists selected by experienced Airbus engineers from more than 618 submissions in the 2013 Fly Your Ideas global university challenge. The UNESCO-backed competition encourages students to develop ideas for a more sustainable aviation industry. Read more »

NG-EV G-City Goes from Virtual Concept to Commercial Evaluation

| France | Source: AFGNV

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 »

Boeing Delivers LNG-Fuelled Aircraft Concept to NASA

| USA | Source: Aviation Week

Boeing elongated design concept featuring possible LNG accommodation (in blue).

Will technological advances enable liquefied natural gas powered (LNG) aircraft to take to the skies by mid century, asked the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Boeing has addressed this question by submitting a concept study in February under NASA’s N+4 generation airliners program for 2040-2050, reports Aviation Week. Considered too immature a technology for the N+3 program, NASA believed LNG to be worthy of further investigation. Boeing’s study says it can be done. Read more »

Toyota Concept Hints at CNG Future

| Switzerland, Geneva | Source: Insideline

Toyota Motors has unveiled a concept vehicle at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the FT-Bh Concept, which may be developed for several fuel applications including compressed natural gas, reports Insideline. Designed for affordability, fuel efficiency and suited to various alternative-fuel powertrains, “It serves as a study for how even greater fuel efficiency might be achieved in the medium term by using two alternative powertrains,” said Toyota in a statement. “A compressed natural gas hybrid with 38g/km CO2 emissions and a plug-in hybrid, emitting just 19g/km.”

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Tata Motors Showcases CNG Vehicles at India Auto Expo

| India, New Delhi

Tata Motors Nano CNG Concept

As part of its commitment to alternative fuel technologies, India’s Tata Motors has demonstrated the compressed natural gas powered Tata Nano CNG Concept and the Tata Magic IRIS CNG at the 2012 Auto Expo in New Delhi. Tata says the Nano showcases the company’s capability to develop all kinds of vehicles for CNG applications. The sequential gas injection system has been calibrated with the EMS system for smart switching between CNG and gasoline fuel systems. The car comes with software with safety strategies like automatic cut-off CNG supply even in the case of diminutive leakages and automatic fuel quality checks.

Read more »

G-City Concept Vehicle Uses Biomethane and Electricity

| France

At the ‘Techno Buzz’ session of the Mobilis 2011 conference held mid-November in Belfort, France, a new natural gas – electric concept car was presented. This vehicle, a partnership between GDF Suez (CRIGEN), FAM Automobiles and France Craft, is said to be the first natural gas / biomethane to electric traction vehicle. Its design can be adapted for use as a pick-up (see image) or to carry four people.  Read more »

Downsizing of Natural Gas Engine Delivers 69 g/km

| Germany

Fuel efficiency is central to a new natural gas engine being developed in Germany by Meta Motoren-und Energie-Technik GmbH (Meta). Developers are working on a concept for a compact class natural gas engine that produces 66 kW (90 hp), consuming 2.5 kilograms of natural gas per 100 km only. This would correspond to a CO2 emissions of just 69 grams per kilometer on CNG and almost nil using biomethane. It is anticipated the Meta engine will emulate the performance and running smoothness of comparable diesel and gasoline engines. Read more »

MBtech Presents the Natural Gas Hybrid “Reporter” Study to the North American Market

| USA

MBTech's Concept Vehicle - the "Reporter"

MBtech is introducing the hybrid (electric/natural gas) “Reporter” pick-up study to the North American market for the first time, at the SAE World Congress in Detroit this week. The pick-up study was developed and designed as an in-house innovation project and presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 2010 in Germany and is demonstrated using a 1:4 scale model. The study displays a resource-saving drive system solution for a light commercial vehicle for delivery transport which can be implemented today. Read more »

Hyundai Showcases H2 ‘Blue2′ Concept FCEV

| Korea, Seoul

Hyundai Blue2 Concept

Hyundai has showcased its all-new Hyundai ‘Blue Drive’ hydrogen-powered concept car, short-named Blue2 and codenamed HND-6, at the 2011 Seoul Motor Show, describing it as a blueprint for future sedans. It is Hyundai’s first sedan-style Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV). The Hyundai Blue2 is powered by a fuel cell electric system that delivers 90kW (120 hp) and fuel economy of 34.9km/litre (2.86 l/100km or 82.2 mpg US).

This article compiled using information from a Hyundai Motor Company press release.

MBtech Reveals the “Reporter” Vehicle Concept Study at IAA

| Germany, Hanover

MBTech's Concept Vehicle - the "REPORTER"

“The commercial vehicle sector has not even begun to utilize the full potential of natural gas.” Werner Kropsbauer, President and Spokesman MBtech Group.

The MBtech Group has presented their “Reporter” concept study at the 63rd IAA Commercial Vehicles in Hanover. Read more »

MBtech Showcases Innovative CNG Engine for MD Vehicles

| Germany, Sindelfingen

At the 31st Vienna Engine Symposium end of April 2010, German automotive technology company MBtech Group showcased an innovative natural gas combustion engine for medium-duty commercial vehicles. Commencing the project with a blank canvas the company is developing a compressed natural gas (CNG) driven in-line combustion engine with a 6 liter capacity and turbocharging especially for medium duty (MD) commercial vehicles. Read more »

Natural Power Fiat 500 Concept Car Will Feature at Geneva Motor Show

| Switzerland, Geneva | Source: salon-auto
Fiat 500 concept natural gas / biogas 1.4 turbo

Fiat 500 natural gas powered 1.4 turbo concept car

Natural gas/biogas consumption: urban 5.5 kgs/100km, rural 3.3 kgs/100km

CO2 Emissions: Natural gas (90%) / Biogas 10% – 98 g/km

Fiat S.p.A. will introduce the Natural Power Fiat 500 concept car, with its 1.4 litre turbo engine (115 h.p.), at the 80th International Geneva Motor Show (4 to 14 March 2010). Together with a selection of other natural gas turbo vehicles, the Fiat 500 will be on display at the stand of gasmobil ag, the centre of competence operated by the Swiss Natural Gas Association to promote mobility. Read more »

Fiat India Plans 2010 CNG Car(s)

| India, Kolkata | Source: The Economic Times

Fiat has indicated intentions to enter into India’s burgeoning domestic natural gas vehicle car market, with first product expected sometime in the April-June quarter of 2010. In a statement carried by the Economic Times the company’s president and chief executive Rajeev Kapoor said, “We are working on a few CNG models. The first one will be rolled out in the second quarter next year.” No information has yet been made available on the models under consideration.  “CNG is ultimately going to be a fuel for most commercial applications,” he said, explaining the rationale behind the move.

MV-1 Paratransit CNG Taxi Production Set for October 2010

| USA, Miami

The MV-1 displaying CNG cylinder storage

The MV-1 displaying CNG cylinder storage

Ford 4.6L 2V EFI V8 available in dedicated CNG or gasoline models

Florida-based Vehicle Production Group LLC (VPG) will commence volume production of the MV-1, the first factory-built and assembled wheelchair-accessible vehicle designed to meet the unique needs of the paratransit, taxi and consumer market, in October 2010. The new vehicle will be powered by the rear wheel drive Ford 4.6L 2V EFI V8 engine and 4 speed automatic transmission and will be available in either dedicated Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or gasoline models. Read more »

Toyota Surfrider Camry Hybrid CNG

| USA
The Toyota Surfrider Camry Hybrid

The Toyota Surfrider Camry Hybrid CNG

Gasoline fuel system replaced by CNG system; Range – 250 miles

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS) U.S.A., Inc. has partnered with the Surfrider Foundation to create a specially modified Camry Hybrid fueled by compressed natural gas (CNG), reflecting Toyota involvement with environmental awareness. The Toyota Surfrider Camry Hybrid CNG is on display in the Environmental Lifestyle Zone of the Toyota vehicle display at the 2009 SEMA Show. Toyota says the Camry Hybrid CNG pushes the envelope on alternative fuel possibilities and follows the first showing of a Camry CNG hybrid at the LA Motor Show in November last year. Read more »