Obama Encourages More Natural Gas Infrastructure

President Obama encouraged more natural gas infrastructure in Tuesday’s State of the Union speech. In it, he talked about his “all-of-the-above energy strategy”, which incorporates diverse energy sources to keep America running (and driving) with less potential disruption from global political and economic changes.

He specifically mentioned natural gas as a bridge fuel. It burns cleaner than the petroleum cars have been using, and the innovation that has gone into modern CNG vehicles is impressive. In order to get more people driving natural gas vehicles, we need more natural gas infrastructure – specifically fueling stations. Obama called on Congress to create programs to employ people and get the natural gas infrastructure built.

Natural gas is in the news a great deal partly because of fracking. Fracking can be done safely, or it can cause problems, such as earthquakes or contamination of water sources. Natural gas pipelines can also rupture with spectacular and dangerous results. Even so, natural gas represents an enormous opportunity for the U.S. to reduce dependence on foreign oil while also reducing emissions.

Here is what Obama said about natural gas production and natural gas infrastructure in the State of the Union address:

Now, one of the biggest factors in bringing more jobs back is our commitment to American energy. The all-of-the-above energy strategy I announced a few years ago is working, and today, America is closer to energy independence than we’ve been in decades.

One of the reasons why is natural gas – if extracted safely, it’s the bridge fuel that can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change. Businesses plan to invest almost $100 billion in new factories that use natural gas. I’ll cut red tape to help states get those factories built, and this Congress can help by putting people to work building fueling stations that shift more cars and trucks from foreign oil to American natural gas. My administration will keep working with the industry to sustain production and job growth while strengthening protection of our air, our water, and our communities. And while we’re at it, I’ll use my authority to protect more of our pristine federal lands for future generations.

Image: Mariordo59/CC

Mazda3 Hybrid And CNG Versions Make Tokyo Debut

Unlike most other automakers, Mazda as so far resisted the allure of hybrid and electric cars, focusing instead on its fuel-efficient SkyActiv gas and diesel engines. But executives at the small Japanese automaker have finally caved, and at this year’s Tokyo Auto Show a Mazda3 Hybrid will join a CNG-powered version in a joint world debut.

For now, Mazda is keeping the most-important details, like fuel economy and pricing, under wraps. With the standard 2014 Mazda3 rated up to 41 mpg on the highway though, expectations are running high that a true hybrid model should exceed 45 mpg or more.

The Mazda3 CNG also lacks any pertinent details other than it is a bi-fuel car that can utilize both gasoline and compressed natural gas. Whether or not either model will make it stateside remains to be seen, though Mazda will have to do something if it hopes to remain competitive with a market that is utterly focused on fuel economy.

 Source: Mazda

Venchurs CNG aggressively prices 6.2L CNG conversions

Venchurs Vehicle Systems, a Qualified Vehicle Modifier of CNG conversions for Ford Motor Company, will offer 6.2L F-250 and F-350 CNG conversions (bi-fuel and dedicated) with a 23.5GGE system utilizing the new 3M tank, all priced at $8,350. The company says this is the industry leading price point for such as system.

We believe that our new price point will help move the industry forward, increasing the speed of adoption by fleet customers and retail customers alike. We have been working with companies like 3M to reduce the overall cost of conversion. With our new pricing, customers can reduce the amount of time it takes to see a return on their investment and ultimately make converting to CNG a financially viable option.

—Jeff Wyatt, CEO of Venchurs

While the CNG dedicated model is a fit for those located in areas of heavy infrastructure, the bi-fuel model offers a combined range of more than 675 miles and on-the-fly switching between fuel types. Because Venchurs is a QVM, the original Ford warranty stays intact and the conversion can be financed through Ford Credit.

Vehicles can be ordered using Venchurs’ ship-thru in Louisville, KY, or its remote ship-thru in Adrian, MI. In addition to the CNG conversion, Venchurs offers its customers the option to add additional accessories such as bumpers, wheels, tires, and brush guards.

Source: Green Car Congress

The Impact Of Fracking On America’s Economy… From Space

See that cluster of lights by North Dakota? That’s the result of fracking. Six years ago that light cluster did not exist. The reason is over the past years natural gas extraction though the use of fracking has increased exponentially as a result of the push for alternative fuel use and technological achievements.

Fracking is the controversial method of extracting natural gas from shale rock using a chemical and water mixture. Depending on the methods used, some 29% of the gas being extracted can go to waste—or rather, into creating this light show.

That light cluster is fire of natural gas burning as companies work all night to extract resources from the Bakken formation under North Dakota; a place whose citizens now call the “Kuwait on the prairie”.

The natural gas rush has been so sudden that North Dakota now has the lowest unemployment rate in the country — more than 41,000 workers got jobs there between 2008 and 2012.  Additionally, seven years ago, the U.S. was importing 60% of its oil. Now oil imports are down to 42%. The Bakken fields play a major role in this.

Natural gas is indeed making an impact, be it for better or for worse, and an impact that is now visible from space! The picture was taken by NASA’s Earth Observatory, which orbits the planet twice a day some 512 miles up.

Source: news.yahoo.com

GE And Chesapeake Energy launch CNG In A Box system

GE and Peake Fuel Solutions, an affiliate of Chesapeake Energy Corporation, launched theCNG In A Box system, which allows easier adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) refueling options for large- and small-scale retailers. (Earlier post.) The solution was unveiled at the National Association of Convenience Stores (NACS) 2012 Annual Show.

A vehicle fleet operator that uses the CNG In A Box system for natural gas fueling instead of traditional gasoline fueling can save about 40% in fuel costs, according to the partners.

The CNG In A Box system compresses natural gas from a pipeline using a GE high-speed reciprocating compressor into CNG on-site at a traditional automotive fueling station or industrial location. CNG-powered vehicles such as taxis, buses or small trucks, as well as individual consumer vehicles, can then refill their tanks using a dispenser with the same look and feel as a traditional diesel or gasoline dispenser.

The CNG In A Box system’s 8 foot x 20 foot container is easy to ship and maintain due to its compact design. Its modular design makes it plug-and-play on-site. Wayne, A GE Energy Business, manufactures the dispensers that deliver the CNG from the CNG In A Box system unit to vehicles. These alternative fuel dispensers feature PCI-compliant pay-at-the-pump technology for a familiar and secure fueling experience. Using the same dispenser and payment terminal interfaces as Wayne petroleum dispensers simplifies point of sale integration.

Financing for the CNG In A Box system is offered by GE Capital, providing competitive rates and flexible payment options. By combining an entire acquisition— including equipment, delivery and installation— into a single monthly payment, Peake Fuel Solutions’ customers can structure payments according to their cash flow and eliminate the costs and time associated with paying multiple vendors. With this solution, business owners can work with a single provider to acquire, finance and maintain their CNG In A Box system.

Source: Green Car Congress

Trillium CNG and AMP Americas partner on network of CNG stations in US; to use biomethane whenever possible

Trillium CNG, a business unit of Integrys Energy Group and AMP Americas have formed a joint venture, AMP Trillium, to focus on building a network of CNG stations across the US.

Initially, AMP Trillium will construct stations along the I-65 and I-75 trucking corridors and major routes in Texas, with the first station breaking ground by fall 2012. The stations will be open to the public, though the primary customers will likely be heavy-duty and long-haul trucking fleets.

The new stations will feature fast-fill capabilities and redundant equipment providing increased fill speed and reduced downtime, backed by a 24/7 on call service-team. The stations will also accept fleet cards and major credit cards and offer special fuel-pricing programs to encourage fleets to take advantage of the economic and environmental benefits of CNG.

AMP Trillium plans to use biomethane whenever possible.

AMP Americas currently owns two CNG fueling stations in Indiana and, in partnership with Fair Oaks Farms, manages a fleet of 42 CNG milk-transport trucks. By Fall, these trucks will run entirely on biomethane made from manure from the dairy’s cows via anaerobic digestion.

Green Cars 101: A Helpful Graphical Analysis of How it Works

In a compressed natural gas car, the fuel is "compressed to less than 1 percent of its volume." Or this: "A small solar energy system (1 to 2 kW) can provide 15,000 electric miles a year" to your plug-in car.

Those are just two of the pieces of information in the Green Cars 101 image from One Block Off The Grid. Most of the rest, admittedly, will be quite familiar to readers, but easy-to-understand information dumps like this are good to keep on hand to share with people who are just getting started in knowing their PHEVs from their BEVs.

See the full image below.

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

Want to Buy A Natural Gas Vehicle? Be Prepared for a Detour

By the end of this year, Honda says it will have more than 200 dealers certified to sell the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas across the U.S. 

Much cheaper than regular gasoline and cleaner-burning, many states offer incentives to encourage drivers to make the switch to natural gas. 
But there’s one problem: finding somewhere to fill up. 

Find a station

At the moment, there are around 930 natural gas filling stations in the U.S. Of those, more than half are open to the public, but many more are private filling stations ran by local businesses and governments exclusively for fleet use.

The number of stations varies greatly from state to state, with prices per gallon also varying dramatically. Interestingly, Oklahoma has a large number of natural gas filling stations, and also some of the cheapest natural gas in the U.S. By contrast, South Dakota has none.

Take a detour

As a consequence of the difference in popularity of natural gas from state to state, distances between natural gas stations can vary greatly, as AOL Autos senior editor Scott Burgess recently discovered. 

2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, El Segundo, CA, Nov 2011

During a 600-mile trip from New York City to Detroit in Bi-fuel 2012 Ford F-250CNG, Burgess took a 94-mile detour just so he could fill up with natural gas. 

Range anxiety

Burgess was lucky. In bi-fuel vehicles like the fleet-only 2012 Ford F-250 pickup, there’s a backup gasoline tank, meaning you can drive on gasoline or natural gas, essential if you’re traveling somewhere without natural gas refueling stations. But natural gas vehicles, like the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas, ONLY have a natural gas tank.

 That, as our own John Voelcker found out in 2011, can lead to some range anxiety. For reference, the Civic Natural Gas has a real-world range of 150 to 180 miles per fill. While that’s more than the range of most plug-in cars per charge, electric car owners do at least know there’s normally an outlet nearby they can use to refuel in an emergency.

Or pump your own

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD bi-fuel (natural gas & gasoline) pickup truck

You may think we’re predicting doom and gloom for the natural gas car, but we’re not. In some states, where natural gas stations are plentiful, a natural gas car can make a good purchase if you’re looking for a green car with a range larger than that of an all-electric car. California, for example, offers natural gas perks similar to electric car drivers, including purchase incentives and single-occupant use of HOV lanes. 

Like electric cars however, the best refueling solution for a natural gas car could be the installation of a home refueling system. Using around 800 watts of electricity, these systems take an existing natural gas domestic supply and compress it, enabling you to refill your car at home every day. 


A tough sell

At the moment, because of the challenges in refueling them, natural gas cars represent a tiny proportion of private vehicles on the roads of the U.S. today. With Honda keen to encourage car buyers to make the switch to Natural gas and more dealers becoming certified to sell the car, that may slowly change over the coming months. But with Honda recommending any dealer wanting to sell its Civic Natural Gas being less than 20 miles from a public natural-gas fueling station, we think that change will happen (if at all) very slowly indeed.



Source: Green Car Reports

 

SARTA switching 50% of bus fleet to CNG over next 2 year, holds grand opening for Northern Ohio’s first public CNG station

SARTA (Stark Area Regional Transit Authority), a public transit authority serving Stark County in Northeastern Ohio, is switching 50% of its current fleet of buses to CNG starting with the first 6 CNG fixed route buses in May 2012. SARTA estimates that the change will save it up to 40% a year on fueling costs while taking advantage of local fueling sources.
STARK recently held a Grand Opening of it new Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) fueling facility.
SARTA installed 2 new fueling dispensers at their Gateway Facility; one will be used for SARTA buses and the other is for the general public. This will be the first public fueling station in Ohio outside of the Columbus area.
The station will be open to the public 24/7 and can be utilized by private businesses, public partners as well as private individuals. The current cost for CNG fuel is $2.35 per gallon equivalent; a significant savings over diesel or traditional gasoline.

Hertz introduces CNG vehicle rentals in US; Civics and Yukons

The Hertz Corporation is introducing compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to its fleet in the US. Hertz will begin renting eight CNG Honda Civics and two CNG GMC Yukons at Will Rogers World Airport in Oklahoma City early next month. All vehicles will include NeverLost GPS units to assist renters in mapping local CNG refueling stations.

Oklahoma City is serving as a pilot program for Hertz’s CNG airport rentals program. In addition to having significant CNG fueling infrastructure across the state—approximately 70 existing or planned public stations—Oklahoma is also home to several of the top natural gas producers in the country, including Chesapeake Energy Corporation.

Last year, Hertz introduced the addition of CNG vehicles through Hertz On Demand at Oklahoma State University. Hertz also deploys CNG airport buses at its Los Angeles Airport location and rents CNG vehicles in both Italy and the United Kingdom.

Hertz is committed to providing our customers with a full spectrum of vehicle options to suit their rental needs including clean emission vehicles such as CNG, electric vehicles, as well as other fuel-efficient vehicles included in our Green Traveler Collection. As more low emission, fuel efficient vehicles become available for general use we will continue to expand our rental fleet, reflecting our dedication to offering sustainable travel options.

—Mark P. Frissora, Hertz Chairman and CEO

The new vehicles will be on display at the Oklahoma City Thunder’s home game against the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday, April 11. In conjunction with the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Green Week, an NBA initiative for environmental awareness, Hertz will also be raffling off 10 weekend CNG vehicle rentals to game attendees.

The expansion of energy-efficient and clean vehicles stems from the launch of Living Journey, Hertz’s global sustainability strategy announced earlier this year.

CNG is a cleaner-burning fuel, emitting up to 30% less carbon dioxide and up to 75% less carbon monoxide. The fuel also typically costs half the price of gasoline and is produced domestically.

Source: Green Car Congress

Ford to offer new diesel engine option in new Transit van; new Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Cost Calculator

Ford will bring the all-new Ford Transit commercial van to market with an option for an all-new diesel engine as well as the 3.5L EcoBoost V6. (Earlier post.) Ford says that the new Transit, which begins production in Kansas City in 2013, will achieve at least 25% better fuel economy than current E-Series vans.

Speaking to the Automotive Press Association in Detroit, Kevin Koswick, director, North American Fleet, Lease and Remarketing Operations for Ford said the company will provide customers with a range of options to reduce their operating costs through a lineup of fuel-efficient engines and alternative-fuel technologies, including EcoBoost (turbocharged, gasoline direct injection); hybrid; plug-in hybrid; battery-electric; biodiesel; and CNG/LPG.

Ford also has developed a specialized new tool to help optimize fleet purchases based on specific fuel types and operating locations. Called the Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Cost Calculator, the new tool is designed to help fleet customers understand their current carbon footprint and to model various scenarios based on the types of vehicles they choose for their fleets. The tool incorporates important information to evaluate fuel costs and emissions, providing an opportunity for fleet managers to quickly evaluate multiple options.

The Vehicle Emissions and Fuel Cost Calculator utilizes such information as vehicle type, fuel type and traffic conditions (stop-and-go city traffic or on the highway, for instance), along with the geographic region in which the car will be used to generate information about the efficiency of a fleet.

The proprietary program, which must be used in conjunction with the support of a Ford representative, will create customized scenarios for customers by using special formulas and variables to determine the environmental impact and fuel costs of specific vehicles.

For example, the tool can demonstrate how operating an electric vehicle in Portland, Ore., has different environmental ramifications from operating one in Philadelphia. This is due to hydropower being a common source of electricity in the Pacific Northwest, reducing carbon dioxide emissions, compared with the mostly coal-based electricity used in the East Central region.

Ford has gained major market share in key commercial vehicle segments as the economy rebounds from the industry lows of 2009. In vans, where Ford E-Series has been the best-seller for 32 years, market share grew from 49.8% in 2008 to 53.7% in 2011, even as new competitors entered the market.

E-Series full-size vans and cutaways are available with flex fuel or CNG/LPG gaseous engine prep package fuel systems.

Source: Green Car Congress

Odyne Offers $100,000 Plug-In Hybrid Conversion For F-750 Trucks

There is a lot of “low hanging fruit” when it comes to reducing our dependence on oil. For one, we could demand improvements in the efficiency of the most fuel-intensive heavy vehicles like the Ford F-750. Now a third-party supplier named Odyne is offering a plug-in hybrid conversion with a big price tag that could come along with big savings.

Odyne revealed its new plug-in hybrid system for F-750 cab chassis’s at the 2012 Work Truck Show, and it can cost up to $100,000 depending on options. A 14.2 kWh battery pack is standard, though it can be doubled-up, adding up to 1,650 pounds to the chassis. But the plug-in hybrid system could also save up to 1,750 gallons of diesel fuel per year. With the current average price of diesel fuel sitting around $4.09, that 1,750 gallons of diesel fuel, that’s a savings of over $7,150 per-year.

At that rate, it would take about 15 years to pay off the $100,000 28 kWh battery pack system. In addition to saving fuel, the battery pack system can also be used as a 120 or 240-volt outlet system for use at the work site. Sounds like a lot of money, but consider that these trucks can usually last for 20 years or longer (don’t believe me? Check out craigslist), and that explains why Odyne have already been delivered 15 of these plug-in hybrid F-750 trucks.

Big moves in the world of big rigs, and this low-hanging fruit could result in huge cost and oil savings. With talk of CNG being the fuel of future heavy duty vehicles, it’s only a matter of time before these alt-fuels cross paths.

Source: Gas2.0

Kia to Focus on CNG Future

If Kia’s chief powertrain engineer gets his way, the Korean automaker will continue its push to reduce harmful carbon emissions by building its future models (like the Rio-based Trackster, above) to run on compressed natural gas (CNG).

Dr. Joachim Hahn, speaking to the automotive press at the Geneva auto show last week, voiced his strong support for CNG as a means to a quick, inexpensive way for automakers to cut emissions, saying “With all the work we do on internal combustion engines and hydrogen-powered cars, making big gains in CO2 reduction is either incredibly difficult or incredible expensive. That’s why I see big potential in CNG. It can offer a 20 per cent CO2 reduction just like that – what other technology can give you that?”

Indeed, Hahn’s comments mirror the “shotgun” philosophy that Kia’s parent company, Hyundai, seems to be following, with its R&D team pushing out everything from “conventional” gas-electric hybrid Elantra sedans to hydrogen fuel-cell electrics and dual-fuel compacts in Europe capable of seamlessly switching between gasoline and Propane. All of which are “future-proofed”, of course, by Hyundai’s forward-thinking Assurance program, which guarantees a new car buyer’s resale value in the face of a wildly uncertain future of fuel …

… wildly uncertain, that is, for most of us. Dr. Hahn seems pretty sure he’s bet on the right horse with CNG. “It’s also cheaper for the consumer than petrol and easier to store than either electricity or hydrogen. What’s more, a wider spread of use of CNG would take some emphasis off oil, and open up more opportunities for worldwide suppliers – there would be no reliance on certain countries for supply.”

Here’s hoping, then, Hyundai/Kia let their guy run with it – if for no other reason than to show Honda that everything they can do, Hyundai can do.

Source: Gas2.0

Obama Wants to Add Rebates to CNG Vehicles as Well as EV's

Continuing his efforts to reduce U.S. dependence on imported oil, President Barack Obama yesterday proposed expanding tax credits now offered to buyers of plug-in cars to those who buy natural-gas vehicles as well.

Given the ugly politics around electric cars and the presidential election season, the proposals aren't given much chance of getting enacted this year, if ever.

But Obama doubled down on his calls to end tax incentives for the petroleum industry, calling oil the "fuel of the past" and urging that U.S. transportation migrate over time to a mix of fuels.

His speech continued a consistent theme of the current administration: Gas prices hurt, but oil dependency is worse.

The president made his proposals at a Daimler truck plant in North Carolina--The New York Times noted that it was his fourth trip to the contested state in six months--and called for Congress to end $4 billion of tax incentives and subsidies to the oil industry to offset the cost.

"Promising" new energy sources

“It’s time to end that taxpayer giveaway," Obama said, calling the oil industry one that's "never been more profitable" and repeating his call for the country to invest in new sources of clean energy that have "never been more promising."

Specifically, Obama called for the existing maximum tax credit of $7,500 for purchase of an electric car to be raised to $10,000.

He proposed that the credit be converted to an effective purchase rebate, which buyers receive within weeks--rather than a tax credit whose effect is seen up to 15 months later--by letting buyers transfer the credit to dealers or financial entities when they purchase.

2013 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD bi-fuel (natural gas & gasoline) pickup truck

Plug-ins plus natural gas

He also suggested that credit be expanded to include not only plug-in cars, but those fueled by natural gas and hydrogen as well.

And Obama proposed a new tax incentive for commercial buyers of such vehicles, cutting their taxes over five years by half the increased cost of the alternative-fuel vehicle against a comparable gasoline or diesel vehicle.

Together, those proposals would total $3.7 billion in new incentives, according to the Detroit News.

Infrastructure for up to 15 cities

Finally, the president proposed a second Department of Energy "grand challenge" of $1 billion, to fund installation of alternative-fueling infrastructure in up to 15 cities, accompanied by $650 million in R&D funding to increase the range of electric, natural-gas, and hydrogen vehicles.

Roughly one-third of those cities would install infrastructure for fueling natural-gas vehicles, with the rest continuing to add public charging stations for plug-in electric vehicles.

Barack Obama in Detroit

Addressing concerns over higher gas prices, Obama cited statistics that indicate domestic oil production has increased, more acres are being explored for drilling, and the number of permits issued for pipelines has risen during his time in office.

Beware proposals for $2 gas

The president continued on the path of what he called an "all of the above" energy strategy, but engaged in a bit of political positioning when he warned against politicians proposing "phony election-year promises" for reducing gasoline prices to $2 a gallon "that never come about."

The New York Times coverage noted that Obama did not mention his longstanding goal of having 1 million plug-in vehicles on the nation's roads by 2015.

Source: Green Car Reports

AT&T Builds Towards 15000 CNG Trucks

This past Thursday, telecom giant AT&T re-committed to its stated goal of putting 15,000 CNG-powered vehicles into operation by 2018, reaching the milestone of 5000 commercial CNG vehicles in service a few weeks ago and putting 274 CNG trucks and vans into service in Connecticut alone (the photo, above, is of Congressman John Larson and AT&T Connecticut’s president, Rodney Smith).

This is all part of AT&T’s bid to improve both its overall fleet costs and reduce the company’s carbon emissions. According to AT&T, their planned alternative-fuel vehicle initiative would save 49 million gallons of gasoline over the 10-year deployment period and reduce carbon emissions by over 200,000 metric tons, which AT&T claims is the greenhouse gas equivalent of removing over 38,000 conventionally-fueled passenger vehicles from the road for one year.

You can read AT&T official press release about hitting the 5000 vehicle mark in whole, below.

Enjoy!

AT&T Marches Toward 15,000 Cleaner-Fuel Fleet Vehicles with Milestone 5,000th Alternative-Fuel Deployment

Five thousand — and counting. That’s the newly-announced tally of alternative-fuel vehicles (AFVs) placed on U.S. roads by AT&T since the company embarked on a 10- year commitment of up to $565 million to deploy approximately 15,000 alternative fuel vehicles through 2018, including one of the largest U.S. corporate commitments to compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles to date. AT&T deployed the 5,000th vehicle, a CNG van, in Palmdale, California. AT&T currently operates more than 70,300 vehicles in its corporate fleet.

“In a short period of time, with the support of community leaders all over the country, we’ve invested in the deployment of thousands of advanced technology vehicles that promote cleaner air, use less fuel and help AT&T lower its operating costs,” said Jerome Webber, vice president, AT&T Global Fleet Operations. “While some may see just another car or truck on the road, we think these vehicles represent the shared values of the communities where we live, work and play.”

In 2010, AT&T and other large U.S. fleet operators joined in the Department of Energy’s Clean Cities’ National Clean Fleets Partnership as part of a national challenge launched by President Obama to cut America’s petroleum imports by one-third by 2025. Through 2013, AT&T anticipates it will have purchased up to 8,000 CNG vehicles at an estimated cost of $350 million. Additionally, over the life of the commitment, AT&T expects to invest $215 million to replace approximately 7,100 fleet passenger cars with alternative-fuel models.

According to a 2009 Center for Automotive Research report, AT&T’s planned alternative-fuel vehicle initiative would:

- Save 49 million gallons of gasoline over the 10-year deployment period
- Reduce carbon emissions by 211,000 metric tons – the greenhouse gas equivalent of removing 38,600 passenger vehicles from the road for one year

More Sustainable Service Garages

Beyond the AFV deployments, AT&T is turning to its service garages to help minimize its environmental footprint and cut operating costs within its overall fleet. These programs include:

- Redirecting an estimated 60,000 old tires annually through a new recycling program that turns old rubber into fuel and consumer products
- Recycling all primary garage products, including 180,000 pounds of oil filters; 200,000 gallons of oil; and 23,000 gallons of antifreeze annually
- Eliminating the purchase of 9,000 pounds of lead annually that were being used to balance new fleet vehicle tires at high speeds

Source: Gas2.0

CNG-Powered Semis Hit I-94

Andersen Windows‘ delivery trucks have hit the highways, and they’re being fueled by compressed natural gas that, the company believes, will save them over $25,000 per year at today’s gas prices. Per truck. More than enough, in other words, to make back the $40000 premium on CNG trucks compared to their conventional counterparts.

At $5/gallon? There’s no question the CNG alternative is a winner.

Savings like that are one reason why commercial fleets like AT&T and states like California, Nevada, and Utah are turning their attention away from diesel and gasoline and considering compressed and liquefied natural gas which, thanks to “the shale-gas revolution”, is available for about $2 less per the equivalent gallon of conventional petroleum gasoline and diesel.

“Natural gas transportation is starting to hit a tipping point,” says Rob Brown, an analyst for Craig-Hallum Capital Group of Minneapolis. Brown sees more and more companies turning to CNG, driven partly by better CNG engine technologies designed strictly for burning natural gas, and a push among large companies to reduce harmful carbon emissions and boost their “green” image.

These CNG supporters are also working to address the fuel’s biggest perceived obstacle – a lack of infrastructure. In other words: a lace of places (especially for trucks, which need maneuvering room and rapid-fill pumps) to fill up.

Two CNG filling stations specifically designed for semi trucks will be opening in Wisconsin this week, built in cooperation with Andersen Windows so that company’s trucks will be able to refuel near its Menomonie, Wis., distribution centers. That station, a Cenex truck stop just off of I-94, works in concert with another in Green Bay will be open to the public. It’s hoped that these stations will form the basis for a natural-gas shipping corridor between the twin cities of Minneapolis/St. Paul and Chicago, IL.

“You need a place to start, and Andersen Windows is creating that start,” said Craig Dickman, CEO of Breakthrough Fuel, a Green Bay-based company that helps shippers reduce their costs.

Source: Gas2.0

YoMobile CNG Hybrid Crossover - VIDEO

A look at the tech aspect of the Russian ToMobile:

Tata Motors shows CNG, diesel-electric hybrid and fuel cell concepts at Auto Expo 2012 in India, unveils 3 new production vehicles

Indigo Manza Hybrid. Click to enlarge.

Tata Motors showcased its alternate fuel technology capability at the New Delhi Auto Expo 2012 by displaying four concepts: the Tata Nano CNG; the Tata Indigo Manza diesel-electric hybrid; the Tata Starbus Fuel Cell (hydrogen); and the Tata Magic Iris CNG. The Tata Motors portfolio already includes a full electric vehicle—the Tata Indica Vista Electric Vehicle—and CNG-electric hybrid buses.

The company also unveiled three new production vehicles at the Auto Expo 2012: the Tata Safari Storme, the new generation Safari SUV; the Tata Ultra, the company’s new LCV & ICV range; and the Tata LPT 3723, India’s first 5-axle rigid truck as well. They will be commercially launched in the next financial year.

Tata Nano CNG Concept. CNG kit components have been applied to the bi-fuel CNG Tata Nano. 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 such as automatic cut-off CNG supply even in the case of leakages and automatic fuel quality checks. The CNG fuel system has been packaged in order to not disturb the existing luggage space.

The Tata Nano CNG comes with a touring range of more than 150 km (93 miles) in addition to the existing touring range (375 km, 233 miles) of the Nano 2012 and CO₂ emissions of 92.7 g/km.

Tata Indigo Manza Hybrid Concept. Powered by a Hybrid 1.05 liter DiCOR engine and 45 kW electric traction motor, the Indigo Manza Hybrid functions as both a series and a parallel hybrid. The vehicle is designed to deliver performance with less than 90 g CO₂/km in city traffic conditions through technologies such as high speed cranking, regenerative braking, auto start/stop, series hybrid mode and limited range pure electric operation. On the highway, the vehicle delivers best-in-class acceleration performance in the parallel hybrid mode.

Apart from regenerative braking, the Indigo Manza Hybrid Concept also recharges its Li-ion battery pack with a roof-mounted solar panel.

Tata Starbus Fuel Cell Concept. The 30-seat Tata Starbus Fuel Cell Concept was developed with support from the Government of India’s Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Technology Development & Demonstration Programme.

The bus features a fuel cell stack has gross peak power of 85 kW, Li-ion battery pack, and two rear motors motor with the peak power output of 186 kW with motor speed from 600 rpm to 2100 rpm and torque of 1,050 N·m (774 lb-ft) at 800 rpm. The maximum speed of the bus is 70 km/h and gradeability is 17%, which is suitable for city applications.

Magic IRIS CNG. Click to enlarge.

Tata Magic IRIS CNG. The Tata Magic IRIS CNG is a “last-mile” public transport vehicle. It comes equipped with a 611 cc, water-cooled 12.8 hp CNG engine with 37 N·m torque, mated with a 5-speed gear box.

It adheres to Tata Motor’s CNG safety standards such as Single Point Gas Injection, Swagelok Joint, Solenoid Valve on ITVR (integrated tank valve & regulator) and comes with stainless steel pipes instead of mild steel pipes, special air venting system arrangement to prevent rusting and gas leakages. The tamper proof ECU electronically limits maximum speed of vehicles as per local city requirements.

Features of the car-like Tata Magic IRIS CNG include all-steel, fully covered body with hard top, double steel sheet doors, 12” radial tires, ergonomically designed seats with seat belts, digital instrument panel, stylish dashboard mounted gear shift lever, steering wheel, big windshield, side mirrors and glass windows.

Production vehicles. The Safari Storme is powered by a 2.2L 16-valve common rail (DiCOR) engine (138 hp/103 kW power; 320 N·m/ 236 lb-ft torque) with a variable geometry turbo, mated with a 5-speed manual transmission. Electronic shift-on-the-fly (ESOF) enables shifting from 2WD to 4WD on the move.

For safety, there are 4-channel ABS with EBD, disc brakes on all wheels, a new rack-and-pinion steering system, rigid ladder frame construction with hydro-formed long members, crumple zones, side intrusion beams on all doors, collapsible steering column, dual SRS airbags, inertia switch and an auto engine immobiliser.

The Tata Ultra LCV & ICV range will comprise variants from 5 to 14 tonnes. The range will be powered by new generation 3L (138 hp/ 103 kW) and 5L (168 hp/ 125 kW) common rail (DiCOR) 16-valve engines, offering higher aggregate life, longer service intervals and low NVH.

The Tata LPT 3723 is India’s first 5-axle rigid truck. With a payload of 25 tonnes (ideal for cement and steel movement), it will reduce the cost/tonne-km. It is powered by a Cummins 6BT 5.9L engine (154 kW/ 207 hp at 2500 rpm) and mated with a 9-speed gearbox.

Tata Motors’ displays also include, in passenger vehicles, a Tata Nano concept, the Tata Pixel concept, the Tata Indica Vista Concept S2, the Tata Manza Nova concept, the Tata Aria – AT concept, the Tata Sumo Gold and the Tata Xenon concept. Other commercial vehicles displayed are the Tata Prima 7548.S - Concept, the Tata Prima 3138.K AT, the Tata Venture Ambulance, the Tata Ace Refresh and the Tata Super Ace (Left Hand Drive).

Tata Motors is India’s largest automobile company, with consolidated revenues of Rs.1,23,133 crores ($27 billion) in 2010-11. Through subsidiaries and associate companies, Tata Motors has operations in the UK, South Korea, Thailand, Spain and South Africa. Among them is Jaguar Land Rover. It also distributes Fiat cars in India, and has an industrial joint venture with Fiat in India.

With more than 6.5 million Tata vehicles plying in India, Tata Motors is the country’s market leader in commercial vehicles and among the top three in passenger vehicles. It is also the world’s fourth largest truck manufacturer and the third largest bus manufacturer. Tata cars, buses and trucks are being marketed in several countries in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, South East Asia and South America.

Source: Green Car Congress

Truck Stop CNG Station May Spur on Alternative Fuel Movement

Natural gas has forever been a "nearly" fuel. While offering several advantages over gasoline or diesel, such as low cost of refueling, HOV-lane stickers in California and cleaner running, the disadvantages are even greater.

One of those has been the availability of natural gas, limiting its suitability for longer trips, where access to a natural gas pump might be scarce.

That could be about to change, according to Associated Press. Natural gas developer Clean Energy Fuels Corp. is planning to equip truck stops all over the country with natural gas pumps, increasing the total by 150. All will be located on major interstates.

While the main aim of this is to encourage heavier, thirstier vehicles to use natural gas, it will be beneficial for the passenger car market too. Currently, the natural gas vehicle market is dominated by buses, taxis and garbage haulers. Refueling is less of an issue for commercial vehicles, as they're often refueled each night at the company running them.

At the moment, only one production natural gas vehicle is on sale, the 2012 Honda Civic Natural Gas. We drove it recently, and found it to be very similar to the regular Civic to drive.

However, with fewer than 1,000 public natural gas fueling stations across the U.S. and a lower range on gas than on gasoline, it's a less practical choice. It also costs more than the equivalent gasoline Civic - as much as $10,000 over the basic model - giving it similar limitations to an electric car.

If the number of stations increased, the low price and low greenhouse gas emissions - a third lower than the equivalent gasoline model - could make it a more logical option, at least for owners keeping their cars for several years.

Honda is expanding sales to 37 states next year, up from only four. "We think we are expanding the car at the right time with the expansion in public infrastructure," explains Honda's Jessica Fini. Honda plans to boost sales from 1,000 cars annually to 2,000, still less than one hundredth that of regular gasoline Civics.

150 more stations still sounds like a small expansion, but it's certainly a step in the right direction and should help Honda sell a few more natural gas Civics. Whether it will stimulate greater demand and encourage other car makers to follow suit is a different matter.



Source: Green Car Reports