SEER ngv, assembled in America, dedicated CNG-powered

Vision Motor Company (VMC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Noble Automotive Group, Inc., designs, assembles and markets vehicles which run on 100% low-cost clean-burning compressed natural gas (CNG). Since 2008 the company has been working to develop a new range of natural gas vehicles for the North American automotive market, and is currently awaiting certification from the US Environmental Protection Agency for its small car product – the “SEER ngv”. The car carries the equivalent of 5.4 gasoline gallons of fuel in four cylinders, enough to drive more than 240 miles (about 390 kms).

Sourcing the vehicle body (Glider) from China and adding the drive train and CNG system in the US keeps the cost low, Bob Smith (CEO of VMC) explained to NGV Global News.  The car will retail for USD 17,900 for the manual transmission and 18,900 for the automatic transmission.

“We should have DOT and EPA approvals by April with one more DOT (Department of Transport) test to perform next month. We will begin sales in Canada in June and in USA in 1st quarter of 2013. We are currently completing our required advance airbags which will take 6 to 8 months to engineer and are required for the USA market,” Smith added. The SEER ngv will meet EPA 2010 requirements.

“[The] engine runs extremely clean. We’re very pleased with the results,” said Smith. Once thought of as a wildcard in the automotive industry a few short years ago, there is now a shifting sentiment among American
consumers toward NGVs. The rising fuel prices, energy use and the environment, have created a current widespread demand for high mileage alternative fuel vehicles.

The SEER ngv warranty throughout America is a 2 year and/or 30,000 on the engine, transmission, drive train, etc.

VMC is also developing a double cab pickup truck under a HAWK brand name and a SUV under a HORIZON brand name. Both are dedicated natural gas vehicles.

(This article compiled using information supplied by Vision Motor Company)

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Article source: http://www.ngvglobal.com/vision-prepares-ngvs-for-north-american-market-0222

3M’s CNG tank solution combines the company’s proprietary liner advancements, thermoplastic materials, barrier films and coatings, and damage-resistant films to transform the pressure vessel industry. Using nanoparticle-enhanced resin technology, 3M™ Matrix Resin for Pressure Vessels, 3M will create CNG tanks that are 10 to 20 percent lighter with 10 to 20 percent greater capacity, all at a lower cost than standard vessels. In addition to these benefits, the 3M technology produces safer and more durable tanks than those currently on the market. This tank innovation builds on 3M’s proven history of developing and introducing pioneering technologies to the market.

“3M believes in the potential of natural gas, and this agreement illustrates our commitment to the industry,” said George Buckley, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of 3M. “We are excited about this collaboration to speed the development and adoption of natural gas-powered vehicles.”

Increased political support and private investment have made natural gas a viable automotive fuel alternative with large growth potential. With more than a 100-year supply of natural gas in the United States and an average price per gasoline gallon equivalent of $1.00 to $2.00, the fuel is plentiful, affordable and domestic. The fuel also burns more cleanly than gasoline, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent and particulate matter by 95 percent.

“This partnership brings together two leading companies from different sectors, both committed to advancing the natural gas transportation fuel market,” said Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake’s Chief Executive Officer. “We applaud 3M for recognizing the future of natural gas as a low-cost, cleaner alternative to gasoline, and for creating innovative tank technology that will make natural gas vehicles more affordable and accessible to fleets and individual consumers nationwide. Our country needs a solution to break the foreign stranglehold on our fuels market, and today’s announcement is another step to transition our nation away from costly imports.”

Chesapeake has pledged an initial $10 million toward design and certification services, market development support and a commitment to use the new tanks for its corporate fleet conversion to CNG. The company’s investment will be provided by Chesapeake NG Ventures Corporation (CNGV), established in 2011 to identify and invest in companies and technologies that will replace the use of gasoline and diesel derived primarily from foreign oil. CNGV has committed $1 billion over the next 10 years to help fund various initiatives to increase demand for natural gas, including investments totaling $300 million in Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (NYSE:CLNE) and privately-held Sundrop Fuels, Inc.

3M has engaged Hypercomp Engineering, Inc. of Utah for the design and certification of tanks. 3M will manufacture the tanks and focus its capital on all future operations and production. 3M expects these tanks to be available for sale during the fourth quarter of 2012.

For more information about the companies and technologies involved, visit http://www.3M.com/AdvancedComposites or www.chk.com.?

Article source: http://www.cngnow.com/News/Post.aspx?ID=592

Burst Pressure Test (Image – 3M)

Market-ready in 4th Quarter 2012

Innovation company 3M and natural gas producer Chesapeake Energy Corporation have entered into an agreement to collaborate in designing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of compressed natural gas (CNG) tanks for use in all sectors of the United States transportation market. Currently the fuel tank (cylinder) on a CNG vehicle is its most expensive single component. The new CNG tanks developed through the 3M and Chesapeake partnership will reduce costs while increasing performance. Less expensive tanks will enable greater market adoption of CNG as an alternative automotive fuel source.
3M’s CNG tank solution combines the company’s proprietary liner advancements, thermoplastic materials, barrier films and coatings, and damage-resistant films. Using nanoparticle-enhanced resin technology, 3M™ Matrix Resin for Pressure Vessels, 3M says it will create safer and more durable CNG tanks that are also 10 to 20 percent lighter with 10 to 20 percent greater capacity, all at a lower cost than standard vessels.

“3M believes in the potential of natural gas, and this agreement illustrates our commitment to the industry,” said George Buckley, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of 3M. “We are excited about this collaboration to speed the development and adoption of natural gas-powered vehicles.”

Increased political support and private investment have made natural gas a viable automotive fuel alternative with large growth potential. With more than a 100-year supply of natural gas in the United States and an average price per gasoline gallon equivalent of $1.00 to $2.00, the fuel is plentiful, affordable and domestic. The fuel also burns more cleanly than gasoline, cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent and particulate matter by 95 percent.

“This partnership brings together two leading companies from different sectors, both committed to advancing the natural gas transportation fuel market,” said Aubrey K. McClendon, Chesapeake’s Chief Executive Officer. “We applaud 3M for recognizing the future of natural gas as a low-cost, cleaner alternative to gasoline, and for creating innovative tank technology that will make natural gas vehicles more affordable and accessible to fleets and individual consumers nationwide. Our country needs a solution to break the foreign stranglehold on our fuels market, and today’s announcement is another step to transition our nation away from costly imports.”

Chesapeake has pledged an initial $10 million toward design and certification services, market development support and a commitment to use the new tanks for its corporate fleet conversion to CNG. The company’s investment will be provided by Chesapeake NG Ventures Corporation (CNGV), established in 2011 to identify and invest in companies and technologies that will replace the use of gasoline and diesel derived primarily from foreign oil. CNGV has committed $1 billion over the next 10 years to help fund various initiatives to increase demand for natural gas, including investments totaling $300 million in Clean Energy Fuels Corp. and privately-held Sundrop Fuels, Inc.

3M has engaged Hypercomp Engineering, Inc. of Utah for the design and certification of tanks. 3M will manufacture the tanks and focus its capital on all future operations and production. 3M expects these tanks to be available for sale during the fourth quarter of 2012.

(This article compiled using information from a Chesapeake Energy Corporation Press Release)

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Article source: http://www.ngvglobal.com/3m-and-chesapeake-to-create-new-cng-cylinder-technology-for-us-market-0221

Vehicles powered by natural gas have been around for years, but low natural gas prices have spiked interest in developing and spreading the technology. According to materials from NGVAmerica, there are nearly 5 million natural gas vehicles in service worldwide.

The focus of the workshop was primarily on businesses that utilize a fleet of automobiles. Stephe Yborra, director of market analysis, education and communication for the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation, said by focusing first on fleet operations, the message and opportunities for wider uses of natural gas vehicles can be increased as well.

“Once you build infrastructure, consumers build confidence,” Yborra said. “If vehicles are a big part of your business, look to see if there are options. There are a lot more options than many people are aware of.”

Yborra said West Virginia was one of a number of stops selected for the workshop because of numerous factors that make it an attractive place to begin spreading use of natural gas vehicles.

“West Virginia is right in the middle of the Marcellus shale,” Yborra said. “You’ve got a lot of natural gas here. There’s a need to create economic development, certainly, and the population of the state generally tends to be along certain major corridors, which works pretty well.”

Yborra said the natural gas extraction industry is interested in the products, and some are fueling the start-up of new stations. Fleet operations that also provide a retail outlet for natural gas is one of the ways to build consumer confidence in the passenger vehicle market.

Corky DeMarco, executive director of the West Virginia Oil and Natural Gas Association, said drillers are always looking for new ways to use natural gas. The search has become more active with increasing gas availability.

“We start to want to find uses for natural gas that maybe we haven’t had before because of the fluctuations in the gas market,” DeMarco said. “Today, with the shales and prolific productions, and the high demand and low cost, it makes perfect sense to start to look to other resources or options as ways to use natural gas.”

Kelly Bragg, energy development specialist at the West Virginia Division of Energy, said nearly 170 people attended the conference. Though the material was mostly technical and in-depth, many people stayed because of an intense interest in the technology, she said.

“My sense is that there is a lot of behind-the-scenes stuff going on that I will probably never know about until a station springs up. I think there is a lot going on behind the scenes,” Bragg said. ?

Article source: http://www.cngnow.com/News/Post.aspx?ID=591

Westport Innovations Inc., a global supplier of natural gas engines, has entered into a Supply Agreement with Cummins to allow manufacturing of the Westport HD 15 litre engine in a Cummins manufacturing facility in Jamestown, New York. “The Supply Agreement helps accelerate our scalability and cost reduction at over 1500 units per year,” said Clark Quintin, President of Westport HD. The agreement assures the company of available, scalable and cost effective supply for its 15L natural gas engines featuring Westport technology.

The new HD Supply Agreement provides Westport with the ability to have its Westport technology-equipped heavy duty engines produced in a Cummins manufacturing facility when a minimum threshold sales volume of at least 1,500 engines in any 12-month period has been achieved by Westport.

The supply agreement term is for three years beginning from the date the first Westport technology-equipped engine is shipped by Cummins after Westport meets the minimum volume threshold. The term automatically renews if the threshold volumes continue to be achieved. If Cummins does not ship a Westport technology-equipped engine within the next five years, the agreement will terminate.

Westport Innovations Inc. engines operate on clean-burning fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and renewable natural gas (RNG or biomethane) fuels such as landfill gas and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Westport technology offers LNG fueling systems with direct injection natural gas engine technology for heavy-duty vehicles such as highway trucks and off-road applications such as mining and rail.

(This article compiled using information from a Westport innovations Inc. press release)

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Article source: http://www.ngvglobal.com/westport-signs-hd-supply-agreement-with-cummins-for-westport-hd-15-litre-engine-0220

Westport and Cummins Agree on New Focus for CWI

Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI), a joint venture of Cummins Inc. and Westport Innovations Inc., has developed a 12 litre heavy-duty, factory built dedicated natural gas engine for regional haul truck / tractor, vocational and refuse applications. The new ISX12 G is currently in field trials with full production expected to commence in early 2013. Based on the Cummins ISX12 diesel engine platform, the newest member of Cummins heavy duty engine family, the ISX12 G will operate exclusively on natural gas (CNG or LNG) utilizing Cummins Westport’s proprietary spark-ignited, stoichiometric combustion with cooled exhaust gas recirculation (SEGR)  technology, first introduced with the 8.9 litre ISL G.
The ISX12 G features three-way catalyst aftertreatment, which is packaged as a muffler and is maintenance free.  No diesel particulate filter or selective catalytic reduction aftertreatment will be required.  Preliminary specifications include a range of ratings to 400 hp and 1,450 lb-ft torque, optional engine brake, and manual and automatic transmission capability to meet customer and original equipment manufacturer requirements.  The ISX12 G will be manufactured in Cummins’ heavy-duty engine plant in Jamestown, New York.

“This is an important product development for Cummins Westport given the increasing demand for natural gas vehicles in the heavy-duty market,” said Roe East, President of Cummins Westport.  “The ISX12 G will offer customers heavy-duty performance, reliability, and durability and a choice of either compressed natural gas or liquefied natural gas as a fuel.”

The ISX12 G target markets at launch are North American regional haul and vocational truck/tractor, and refuse applications, where demand for natural gas vehicles is growing.  Anticipated end-use applications in the regional haul market segment include intermodal and distribution operation, pickup and delivery.  Potential post-launch market opportunities include motor coach and specialty vocational applications.

The ISX12 G is expected to be certified at launch to meet the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and California Air Resources Board emission standards of 0.20 g/bhp-hr NOx and 0.01 g/bhp-hr PM.  The engine is additionally expected to be capable of meeting EURO VI and pending U.S. greenhouse gas and fuel economy regulations.

Partial funding in support of the ISX12 G engine development has been received from the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and the California Energy Commission in conjunction with the Gas Technology Institute.

New Focus for CWI

CWI has entered into an amended and restated joint venture agreement (JVA) with Cummins Inc. for the Cummins Westport Inc. (CWI) joint venture. The JVA was amended to provide for, among other things, clarification concerning the scope of products within CWI. In addition, the parties have revised certain economic terms of the JVA. The joint venture will now have a term of ten years.

“Over the past 10 years, CWI has emerged as the pre-eminent supplier of high performance natural gas engines for commercial vehicles,” said David Demers, CEO of Westport Innovations. “With this new agreement, we have taken the necessary steps to provide CWI with a platform for continued growth and success over the next 10 years, while recognizing the dramatically increased interest in natural gas as a fuel.”

Under the prior JVA, CWI had a global exclusive right to design, engineer, and market mid-range on-road spark-ignited natural gas engines based on Cummins diesel engines manufactured in Cummins facilities. Cummins and Westport have agreed in the amended and restated JVA to focus CWI’s future product development on North American markets including engines for on-road applications between the displacement range of 5.9 litres through 12 litres, and to have these engines manufactured in Cummins North American plants.

(This article compiled using information from Cummins Westport Inc. press releases)

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Article source: http://www.ngvglobal.com/cummins-westport-12-liter-natural-gas-engine-undergoes-field-trials-0220

Through a public-private partnership, Leon County Schools and natural gas company Nopetro is building a publicly available CNG station that will allow the school district and other local public and private entities the ability to purchase natural gas vehicles.

Jorge Herrera, CEO of Nopetro, told GF that Florida State University, Leon County, the City of Tallahassee, and the Florida Department of Transportation have expressed interest in using the facility.

The Florida-based NoPetro will build and operate the facility, while the school district will benefit from royalty payments from private sector sales, according to a release from the company. The district hopes investing in natural gas vehicles will free up money for education through reduced fuel costs.

Leon County Superintendent of Schools Jackie Pons said the district will transition 44 buses to CNG by the time the station opens and hopes to transition the entire fleet to natural gas within five to 10 years. Expected completion date is August.

Construction kicked off on Feb. 7. According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Alternative Fuels Advanced Vehicles Data Center, the nearest CNG fueling station to Tallahassee is in Greenville, Ala., 173 miles away.

Over the next few years, Nopetro has plans to open fueling stations at numerous locations throughout the state. Okaloosa County and the City of Pensacola have expressed interest in building their own fueling stations, Herrera said.?

This article was first published

Government Fleet.

Article source: http://www.cngnow.com/News/Post.aspx?ID=590

Article source: http://www.cngnow.com/News/Post.aspx?ID=590

“The opportunity to test natural gas tractors is part our effort to help improve air quality in the areas where we operate,” said Don Orr, president and CEO of Central Freight Lines. “In the past few years, we have been consistently replacing power units with newer emissions compliant engines, and adding other environmentally friendly equipment such as propane-powered forklifts. With the Houston-Galveston Area Council’s backing we can fully evaluate how natural gas tractors will help further our goals and help fight air pollution in some of the major metropolitan areas we serve, including Houston, which has higher air pollution levels than most large cities in the country.

“We are firm believers in using domestically produced fuels like natural gas to help reduce consumption of foreign oil,” Orr added. “Natural gas powered tractors support U.S. energy producers, including many in our home state of Texas. In addition, many of those companies and their suppliers are our customers.”

The new clean air, natural gas tractors joining the CFL fleet will be used for local pick up and deliveries in the Houston-Galveston service area where a natural gas fueling infrastructure is available. The higher up front cost of the engines, Orr noted, will be returned to the company in the significantly lower cost of natural gas. Currently, natural gas prices are about half on a per gallon-equivalent compared to on-highway diesel fuel.

All Peterbilt compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) platform vehicles are equipped with the Cummins Westport ISL-G engine which offers a 320 horsepower rating and 1,000 ft-lbs. of torque. Efficient and emissions compliant, the engine produces horsepower and torque comparable in capability and service to the diesel engines. It has a maintenance free three way catalyst (TWC) that is 95% effective in NOx conversion and is highly effective in controlling all CO and hydrocarbons. Additionally, the Peterbilt Model 384 has been recognized as fuel efficient and environmentally-friendly by the EPA’s SmartWay program.

(This article primarily compiled using information from a Central Freight Lines press release)

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Article source: http://www.ngvglobal.com/central-freight-lines-to-test-peterbilt-natural-gas-tractors-0217

Natural gas powered Mack chassis with E-Z Pack Hercules body

E-Z Pack Manufacturing, LLC, a manufacturer of waste collection truck bodies based in Kentucky, has completed delivery of Waste Pro USA’s first-ever compressed natural gas (CNG) solid waste collection truck. Waste Pro, a Florida-based privately owned solid waste collection, recycling, processing and disposal company operating in seven southeastern states, will bring the E-Z Pack Hercules Front Loader body built on a 2012 Mack chassis into service in Atlanta, Georgia later this month.

CNG tanks are uniquely integrated in the upper rear of the vehicle body for optimized vehicle weight distribution and lower overall height. The body features greater ground clearance and, at 75 diesel gallon equivalents (DGEs), more fuel capacity than other CNG waste truck body options in the industry.

“E-Z Pack is proud to have played a prominent role in Waste Pro USA’s move to reducing emissions and foreign energy dependency,” said Jim Rogers, Vice President of Sales Marketing at E-Z Pack.

“We care about the communities we serve and this first new truck is a testament to our commitment to reduce air and noise pollution,” said John J. Jennings, President and CEO of Waste Pro USA. “We are still in the early innings of this initiative but it’s important to celebrate a first milestone with our customers, partners and the communities that we serve.”

Waste Pro announced late last year a $100 million investment in transitioning the fleet from diesel fuel to the environmentally friendly and domestically available CNG fuel. The investment includes an initial order of 150 Mack waste collection and recycling trucks sourced from truck seller Nextran Corporation.

The investment also includes construction of state-of-the-art CNG fueling facilities throughout the South. Groundbreaking for Waste Pro’s first CNG refilling station facility in Fort Pierce, Florida was scheduled for February 16th, 2012. Waste Pro has partnered with Clean Energy, the largest provider of natural gas fuel and facilities in the country, to design and construct the Fort Pierce complex.

“We challenged E-Z Pack to come up with a unique way to effectively manage weight distribution to meet the demands of our highway system,” said Bob Nicholas, Corporate Fleet Manager at Waste Pro USA. “Plus, we wanted full productivity with low RPM and fuel-efficient operations. This truck will have no speed-up noise. It will work very quietly.”

“We’re very proud of the technology that E-Z Pack and Mack have teamed up to create,” Nichols added. “I am excited to be putting what I think is the best CNG truck in the industry on the road here in Atlanta.”

(This article compiled using information from an E-Z Pack Trucks press release)

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Article source: http://www.ngvglobal.com/e-z-pack-cng-powered-front-loader-joins-waste-pro-fleet-0217