Oklahoma and Colorado governors pitch CNG vehicle initiative to US auto manufacturers

Oklahoma Governor Mary Fallin, Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper, Oklahoma Secretary of Energy Michael Ming, and Oklahoma Secretary of Commerce Dave Lopez met with US auto manufacturers in Detroit to pitch a multi-state, bi-partisan compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle initiative.
In April, Govs. Fallin and Hickenlooper as well as the governors of 11 other states sent letters to auto makers in the United States expressing their commitment to explore ways to purchase more CNG vehicles for their state fleets. The move is both a cost-saving measure for states and a means to incentivize the manufacture of affordable and functional CNG vehicles.
The letter referred to a multi-state Request for Information (RFI), asking manufacturers to provide background and information in anticipation of a multi-state solicitation later this summer. Participating states include: Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, Utah, Maine, New Mexico, West Virginia, Kentucky, Texas, Ohio, Mississippi and Louisiana.
The initiative, first announced by Governor Fallin and Governor Hickenlooper, attempts to establish the demand and incentive for auto manufacturers in the United States to design and sell a suitable CNG-powered passenger vehicle that can be used both by public fleets and private sector consumers.

The development of CNG vehicles continues to be hampered by a ‘chicken and egg’ scenario. Consumers won’t buy CNG vehicles while there is limited fueling infrastructure and high vehicle price points, and manufacturers won’t wade into the market if there is not sufficient consumer demand. Purchasing vehicles for state automobile fleets will help encourage the development of fueling infrastructure and break through the barriers holding back the development of CNG vehicles. The end result will be an initiative that will pave the path toward the development of a product that has the ability to save money on transportation costs for both state government and families.

—Gov. Fallin

We believe there will is strong interest in natural gas vehicles and we want to leverage the collective purchasing power of state fleets to jumpstart that market. These meetings will help establish a mutually beneficial partnership between the 13 states on the agreement and the auto companies.

—Gov. Hickenlooper

 

 

 

Source: Green Car Congress