Westport Expands its 2015 Vehicle Line-Up with the New Transit Connect

Westport is expanding its 2015 vehicle lineup with two natural gas fueling options for companies who like to drive the Ford Transit Connect. 

As Ford’s largest qualified vehicle modifier, Westport is offering the 2015 Ford Transit Connect as a dedicated or bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) Westport WiNG™ Power System vehicle.

Dedicated and bi-fuel options will give fleets more fuel flexibility when choosing to fill up with CNG. Westport's Transit Connect will be compliant with Clean Port Act emissions standards, ensuring that fleets and small businesses who service airports can take advantage of natural gas.

Often used to transport passengers and cargo, the 2015 Ford Transit Connect model offers a 2.5L gaseous prep engine with improved fuel economy over gasoline.

Westport is accepting orders now through Ford dealerships.

Visit Westport’s website for more information about our bi-fuel and dedicated CNG Ford vehicles, including our FREE CNG fuel card offer for qualifying Westport vehicles, until supplies last: http://www.westport.com/wing.

For media inquiries contact: media@westport.com

For sales inquiries contact: fordsales@westport.com

Changing the Fuel of Delivery – FedEx Driver Turns to Natural Gas

The next time a FedEx truck arrives at your door take a look at the sticker on the back – your parcel may have arrived courtesy of compressed natural gas (CNG).

Harry Carver, a FedEx contractor based in Tyler Texas, has nine routes from Longview to Kilgore and recently purchased a CNG-powered Ford F-59 Step Van for his fleet of 14 trucks.

He’s got his eyes on four more.

The truck makes 90 stops a day and is equipped to carry 250 boxes – it’s no issue with the 1,000 cubic feet of space in the back, two shelves and a rollup door.

Harry Carver, a Fedex contractor based in Tyler Texas now has one Ford F-59 CNG truck in his fleet and is looking to purchase several more.

Getting the News Out About Natural Gas Transportation in NYC

Westport CEO David Demers met with several major media outlets last week including: Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg News, Thomson Reuters and the Financial Times. On the agenda was natural gas vehicle adoption rates in North America, Westport technology for Class 8 vehicles, the launch of Westport™ HPDI 2.0 in China with the Weichai WP12 and WP10 engines, and Westport’s recent delivery of an LNG well tender. Reporters’ questions were diverse and covered wide-ranging subjects such as fuel infrastructure, natural gas exports and renewable natural gas.

The day started off at the Bloomberg office at 731 Lexington Avenue, where David met with broadcast and print reporters.

David appears on Bloomberg T.V.’s , In the Loop with Betty Liu on May 12, 2014, chatting about Westport’s latest announcements. Watch the interview here: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/20-50-saved-running-trucks-on-natural-gas-demers-3EOlrv_EQzyZ59Pv6OJ_Dg.html

California’s Plan to Reduce Carbon Footprint of Fuels Has Low Cost, High Benefit, Study Finds

The findings of a new study by technology, policy and management consultancy firm ICF International on the costs of complying with California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) finds economic and environmental benefits resulting from the State policy, including an increase in jobs, incomes and gross state product.

California’s LCFS requires a ten percent reduction in the carbon intensity of transportation fuels by 2020. Through a system of credits and deficits, the mandate includes the gradual introduction of fuels with lower carbon intensity than diesel and gasoline. Initiated in 2007, the LCFS has been underway for some time, but the costs and relative efficiencies have been an open question until now.

The study finds that the LCFS will result in $1.4 billion to $4.8 billion in societal benefits by 2020 from reduced air pollution and increased energy security, all while generating 9,100 jobs in the State of California. The study finds the potential costs of compliance for the petroleum industry to be between $0.06 and $0.19 per gallon. This is a small fraction of the average price fluctuations for diesel and gasoline in California caused by changing global oil prices. In fact, the study finds that Californians’ fuel bills are going down, a trend which it expects to continue under the influence of the State’s progressive transportation policies (see diagram).

What Do Classical Records and Treats for Fido Have to Do with Driving an NGV?

On May 5, Westport asked people in Long Beach, California, “What would YOU do with an extra $200 in your wallet this month?” for the #MyTreat event.

Why $200? Because that’s the average we estimated people could save on fuel* by driving the new compressed natural gas (CNG) Ford F-150 with the Westport WiNG™ Power System. Westport held the debut of this vehicle – the only CARB and EPA certified Ford F-150 – in California as part of the Alternative Clean Transportation Expo.

Natural gas vehicles are popular with fleets, but not as many individuals are driving them. So why did we decide to show off this great new CNG pick-up to the public? We think it’s important for people to know that natural gas vehicles are here and now, just like our tagline says, and even though you might not be driving one, it’s possible you’ve ridden in a natural gas powered bus, received a package delivered in a natural gas powered van, or even bought groceries hauled in a natural gas powered refrigerated truck.

Curious what people would do with the extra cash? Some said they would give the money to charitable organizations. Others had an eye on electronics. A few folks would put it towards a nice, sunny vacation.

These three Alternative Clean Transportation Expo attendees were interested in buying classical music records for their children, solar panels, and giving to good works.

Retweet for #FREECNG! May 7 and May 8, 2014

www.westport.com/freecng

Have you ever wanted to drive into a fuel station and fill up your vehicle for FREE?

Westport and Clean Energy Fuels are offering you that chance on May 7 and May 8, 2014 with Retweet for #FREECNG!

Enter for your chance to win a Clean Energy Fuel Card loaded with 1,000 gasoline gallon equivalents of compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel!

It’s easy to enter!

On Twitter: send a reply to @WestportDotCom using the hashtag #FREECNG

On Facebook: Write a post on Westport’s Facebook wall using the hashtag #FREECNG

A draw will be made on May 16th by Westport for the two free fuel cards after all entries are collected.

The winners will be randomly selected and all entries are subject to the official contest rules and regulations.

For more information, visit: www.westport.com/freecng

What Would You Do With An Extra $200 In Your Wallet This Month?

Westport and the CARB Certified Ford F-150 will be onsite at Shoreline Village, 401-435 Shoreline Village Dr, Long Beach, CA on May 5 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
www.westport.com/mytreat

If you had an extra $200 this month, how would you use it? Westport wants to know what Californians would do with the savings they could achieve by driving a natural gas vehicle. On May 5, Westport is debuting the first ever California Air Resources Board-certified, natural gas-dedicated Ford F-150, powered by the Westport WiNG™ Power System at Shoreline Village in Long Beach, CA.

Westport is inviting folks down to see the F-150, and tell us the things they could do with the estimated average monthly fuel savings, driving on compressed natural gas (CNG) instead of gasoline. Some lucky participants may even get their wishes granted.