Canada, Vancouver

A study by California-based TIAX LLC has confirmed a 21% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in LNG trucks featuring a Westport ISX G engine and LNG fuel system based on a 10 year, 400,000 mile scenario. Under this scenario, a typical Westport LNG-equipped natural gas truck operating at the San Pedro Bay ports in California will realize reductions of 21 tonnes of GHG emissions per year compared to an equivalent diesel truck.

Yet another piece in the jigsaw of NGV standards had just been published. "Compressed gaseous fuel measuring systems for vehicles" OIML R 139 has been published by the International Organization for Legal Metrology.  This standard can be downloaded at no cost from www.oiml.org/publications/ document 139-e. The history of this standard starts in 1999 with the first committee draft of the standard being completed in 2000.

This month marks the end of an era for the IANGV with the retirement of Dr. Garth Harris, the inaugural Secretary-General of the Association. Garth has been with the IANGV since even before it was formed, having played a key role in the formation of the Association and bringing about some funding arrangements from the New Zealand government that allowed the organisation to be formed in New Zealand in 1986. Since that time Garth has held the position of Secretary-General, and it would be fair to say he had seen the industry goes through several evolutionary stages, reaching the point where we now have more than 9 million natural gas vehicles operating around the world.

Australia, Perth

Advanced Engine Components Limited (AEC) has entered a  formal ten year Purchase Agreement with Tata Motors Limited (TML) of India.  The terms of the Agreement are consistent with a Letter of Intent (LOI)  announced on 31 October 2008. Pursuant to the LOI, AEC will design, develop, test and certify compressed natural gas (CNG) kits as part of the natural gas vehicle system (NGVS).  The NGVS is for naturally aspirated and turbo charged CNG versions of TML’s four and six cylinder engines for commercial vehicle application.  Quantities and pricing were set in the LOI.

Russia, Moscow

On November 17, 2008 the Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has signed two Directives which will help to expand the  national natural gas vehicle (NGV) market. Directive # 1662-R  approved the Concept of the long term socio-economic development of the Russian Federation  till 2020. Chapter 6 of the Concept "Development of the energy infrastructure and building up of energy efficiency of the economy" provides that "stimulation of the use of natural gas as a motor fuel" shall be one of the priorities. Another Directive signed a few moments after the socio-economic Concept determined priorities for the Russian government till 2012.

Among other tasks Directive # 1663-R instructs the Government to prepare a Federal energy saving program, introduce innovative energy efficient technologies and develop NGV-related incentives.

India, Gujarat.

Indian vehicle manufacturer Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M) has unveiled its environment-friendly Bolero Pik-up Flatbed CNG in Gujarat. The CNG model was released in Delhi earlier this year and is based on its popular Bolero Pick-up Flatbed, the company's largest selling model in the Large Pickup category with a market share of 85 per cent in April-November 2008. The launched model complies with BS III (Euro III equivalent) emission norms and incorporates state-of-the-art CNG technology along with a single Electronic Control Unit, which controls ignition, the fuel system and engine speed. M&M Zonal Manager Sunil Lohani said, "While filling CNG, the engine will shut down completely and not start at all as a safety precaution."

Peru

The demand for new low-cost NGVs in Peru has increased 350 percent in just one year, said Jorge Mongilardi, general manager of Ecolinea, the Peruvian distributor of the Volkswagen Gol sub-compact NGV.   According to Mongilardi, demand is being driven by the lower cost of CNG as a vehicle fuel and the increased concern about air pollution.  According to the Natural Gas Vehicle Peruvian Chamber (CPGNV), in 2008 to date, over 51,000 vehicles have been converted to CNG, and 100,000 are projected for 2009.

USA, Iowa City

The US National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has announced two new additions to the Transit Bus Certification Test Series: Compressed Natural Gas Engines (H1) and Preventive Maintenance and Inspection (H8). “These new additions to our Transit Bus Series complete the requirements for a Master Technician Status,” says Tim Zilke, ASE president & CEO.

The Compressed Natural Gas Engines (H1) test content will cover the following areas: