Karwa, the monopoly bus and taxi service operated by Mowasalat, the State-owned transport company of Qatar, has incorporated its first compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle into its fleet. The Volkswagen-manufactured VW Passat TSI EcoFuel car was received on behalf of Karwa by the government public transport firm’s director of Taxi and Limousine Abdulla Ali Bahzad, reports the Gulf Times. Read more »
CNG-Modified Proton Exora x 1000 for Malaysian Taxi Fleet
As part of its continuous support to the Malaysian Government and in-line with the Government Transformation Plan (GTP), Proton has collaborated with Suruhanjaya Pengangkutan Awam Darat (SPAD) on the ‘1Malaysia Taxi Program’ initiative. The collaboration sees the national automotive company providing a specially modified version of the popular MPV, the Exora, as Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-powered taxis. Read more »
CNPC and CPC Cooperate to Deliver CNG Stations for Mainland China
Oil and gas giants China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), China and CPC Corporation, Taiwan, have cooperated to jointly open and operate two compressed natural gas (CNG) stations in Pingtan, Fujian, reports ChinaDaily. The 24 hour stations will commence by servicing a fleet of 90 taxis, currently the only natural gas vehicles (NGVs) on Pingtan. More stations are expected to be build by the two companies, cooperating in business on the mainland for the first time.
Emirate of Sharjah Taxis to Convert to CNG
In Sharjah, the largest city and seat of government of the emirate of Sharjah, UAE, Sharjah Transport Corporation (STC) is planning to convert its 4,800 cab fleet to compressed natural gas (CNG). As many as 1600 conversions are expected in the first of two stages for the project, over the next two years reports the Khaleej Times. Read more »
Trinidad and Tobago Budget Addresses Crippling Fuel Subsidies with CNG
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT) is desperate to reduce the huge fuel subsidy which accounts for some two-thirds of the country’s budget deficit, by moving the transportation sector to compressed natural gas (CNG) and away from diesel fuel. This has been an open agenda for the past two years, but the slow transition means the government is seeking to introduce new measures to progress the uptake of CNG. The national budget presented for the 2012/2013 year contains such measures. Read more »
Malaysia’s Petronas to Add 10 More NGV Refueling Stations by 2014
Petronas NGV Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of state-owned Malaysian oil and gas company Petronas, is to open 10 more natural gas vehicle (NGV) refueling stations, planned for completion by 2014, reports Bernama. The company already operates 174 compressed natural gas (CNG) stations across the country. Read more »
Natural Gas Taxis and Vans in Netherlands Qualify for Purchase Subsidy
CNG filling station dispenser (Image: CNG Net)
In the Netherlands, buyers of a new taxi or van can receive funding from October 1 when they choose clean technology. Factory-fitted natural gas vehicles qualify for a EUR 1,250 (USD 1,608) grant. The subsidy, which earlier this month has been notified to the European Commission, is intended to improve air quality in inner cities, where taxis and courier vans make multiple relatively short journeys. There is EUR 25 million (USD 32 million) available from the National Air Quality Cooperation Programme (NSL). Read more »
VPG Unveils Luxury Version of CNG-Optional MV-1 Taxi
VPG's luxury version of the NV-1
The Vehicle Production Group (VPG), headquartered in South Florida, has unveiled its all-new 2013 luxury LX MV-1 model at Chicago’s BusCon Expo to a crowd of more than 400 industry executives. The vehicle is offered with the option of a compressed natural gas (CNG) engine. Read more »
New Fiat Siena Tetra Fuel comes with Incentives for Taxi Operators
Fiat Grand Siena Tetra Fuel MY 2013
Last week in Recife, Brazil, the managing director of Fiat Chrysler Financial for Latin America, Pablo di Si was joined by the Governor of the state of Pernambuco, Eduardo Campos, and representatives of government and the Copergás Taxi Drivers’ Union to unveil the new Grand Siena Tetra Fuel, a Fiat model that is unique to the country, reports vrum. The 1.4 liter 75 hp Siena, which can operate on gasoline, ethanol, alcohol and compressed natural gas (CNG), was presented as an incentivised alternative for taxi operators wanting to use CNG. Read more »
Seattle CNG Fleet Analysis Highlights Fuel Advantage
45 Chevy Impala hire-cabs achieve CO2 emissions reduction of approximately 28% annually, or over 500 tons, compared with similar conventional-fuel taxis.
Taking the concept of green cabs literally, new Seattle taxi company CNG for Hire has launched a fleet of green and blue coloured compressed natural gas (CNG) cabs. The first vehicles brought into service are 45 Chevy Impalas. World CNG, based in Kent, Washington, outfitted these vehicles with approximately 11 GGE (gasoline gallon equivalent) of CNG storage, providing a range of approximately 200 miles. Read more »
Chicago’s Green Taxi Program Catalysed CNG Vehicle Growth
World CNG, a company specializing in alternative fuel packaging and applications, now has over 150 World CNG natural gas taxicabs currently in operation in Chicago, and is on track to deploy a grand total of 225 by the end of the second quarter of this year. Although compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered vehicles still comprise less than 5% of the 7000+ Chicago-area taxicabs, a growing awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of converting to CNG has driven demand.
Zhongshan City Adds 100 CNG Bi-fuel Taxis
Beijing Hyundai Sonata
Zhongshan, a city in the Guangdong province in southern China, has added 100 new bi-fuel (compressed natural gas/gasoline) taxis to its public transportation fleet. According to a Hexun report, the Zhongshan City Transportation Deputy Secretary said the city is making great efforts to promote the use of green energy, adding that, subject to a successful introduction of the bi-fuel taxis, existing taxis may be converted to bi-fuel operation also. The new taxi is reportedly the Hyundai NF Sonata, known as the Beijing-Hyundai Sonata Yu Xiang or “Yu” in China. The taxis are operated by Chun Yu Taxi Company.
300 CNG Bi-Fuel Taxis Ordered for Nanning City
Shanghai Volkswagen Santana Vista
In Nanning, the capital city of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in southern China, the state owned taxi company — Nanning Public Transport Corporation — will add 300 bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) taxis to its fleet. The intent is both to improve public transportation and reduce carbon emissions. The vehicle selected is a Shanghai Volkswagen Santana Vista, a popular model for taxi operators. Read more »
Fuzhou to Build NGV Refuelling Network – 170 Stations by 2015
In Fuzhou, the capital and one of the largest cities in Fujian Province, plans are underway to build 60 liquefied-compressed natural gas (L-CNG) filling stations, radiating out to cover the Fuzhou area to meet the fuelling requirements of city buses, taxis and municipal fleets. 37 stations are expected to be completed in 2012, of which 12 will be built on high volume highways, for which 180,000 m3 has been allocated. Read more »
Ningbo to Combat Air Pollution with Switch to Natural Gas Vehicles
Ningbo port container trucks queue for cargo (Image: Ningbo Port)
In the Chinese city of Ningbo, the port of which has recorded the greatest growth in container business in the world, motor vehicle exhaust emissions has become a major source of urban air pollution; the vehicle population passed 1 million at end 2010. The Ningbo Municipal Development and Reform Commission has set in motion measures to improve the environment and promote energy conservation by introducing a plan to promote conversion to natural gas fuel for urban buses, taxis and port container trucks, reports Ningbo Evening News. Read more »
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