Opening the Door to More Business – Westport Obtains TS 16949 Certification

Westport achieved a significant accomplishment in the trucking and automotive industry recently, receiving TS 16949:2009 certification. This quality management designation is issued by SAI Global, a registrar of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). 

“One of the first questions customers ask is: do you have a certified quality system?” says Westport’s Director of Quality, Hector Hernandez. “Obtaining this certification puts Westport in the position to compete with the best suppliers in the world. It will open the door to more business for Westport.”

Pacific NorthWest Delegates Look at LNG Measurement, Taxation and Transportation

Brian Dracup, Senior Director, LNG Rail and Tender Program Development participated in a six person panel discussing natural gas for transportation as part of the Pacific Northwest Economic Region 2014 summit, held in Whistler this week. The panel was co-chaired by B.C.’s Deputy Premier, Minister of Energy, Natural Gas, and Mines Rich Coleman.

At the conclusion of the panel, PNWER organizers stated they would form a working group of interested participants to discuss how to harmonize the way LNG is measured and how to make the way LNG is taxed common within the PNWER region.

Westport CEO Talks Natural Gas Transportation on CBC's Lang & O’Leary Exchange​

Westport CEO David Demers was one of the guests interviewed on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's (CBC) Lang & O’Leary Exchange​ on Friday, July 18.

David spoke to guest host Danielle Bochove about Westport’s company history, natural gas powered locomotives and trucks, competition from other alternative fuels and Westport’s future path among other topics.

The interviewed aired on CBC News Network. Watch it here:

http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Business/Lang%20&%20O%27Leary%20Exchange/ID/2474998206/

Westport Expands 2015 Vehicle Line-Up with All-New Transit Van and Cutaway

Westport is expanding its 2015 vehicle lineup with natural gas fueling options for companies who are adding the all-new Ford Transit Van and Cutaway to their fleet. 

As Ford’s largest qualified vehicle modifier, Westport is offering the 2015 Ford Transit Van and Cutaway as a dedicated natural gas (CNG) Westport WiNG™ Power System vehicle. The Transit Cutaway will be offered at 10,000 GVW and below. Both versions of the Transit Van and Cutaway will be EPA and CARB certified.

Anadarko Propels its Ford Fleet with Natural Gas

When Anadarko’s then CEO, Jim Hackett told the company he wanted a natural gas vehicle added to the company’s sizable fleet in 2009, it marked an important shift as the company began to adopt NGVs within its fleet.

“That same original natural gas vehicle is still in use and being driven by one of our managers,” says Steve Altus from Anadarko’s office in The Woodlands, Texas.

Steve, a supply chain manager with Anadarko, says that by the end of 2014 the company will have close to 450 NGVs in its fleet – accounting for almost 20 per cent of its 2,500 vehicles. The alternative fuel fleet consists mostly of light duty trucks, such as half and three quarter ton vehicles like the Ford F-250 with the Westport WiNG™ Power System operating on a bi-fuel system of compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline.

Steve Altus, a supply chain manager with Anadarko, says that by the end of 2014, the company will have close to 450 NGVs in its fleet, accounting for almost 20 per cent of its 2,500 vehicles.

Now Available in Belgium - Volvo’s Bi-Fuel V60 and V70 with Westport CNG Technology

During NGV Brussels 2014, Volvo Sterckx premiered the V70 Bi-Fuel and the V60 Bi-Fuel, announcing both are now available in Belgium. The Volvo V60 and V70 vehicles both use Westport compressed natural gas (CNG) technology.

“The Belgian CNG vehicle market has grown substantially during 2014, doubling in size in total so far,” says Patrik Dejve, director Westport Sweden’s corporate development and operations. “We are very glad that the Volvo V60 Bi-Fuel and the Volvo V70 Bi-Fuel, supported with Westport CNG technology, are now available in the Belgian market.”

Philip Vandewalle, CEO and owner of Volvo Sterckx, spoke with media during NGV Brussels 2014. Volvo Sterckx announced that the V60 and V70 are now available for purchase in Belgium during the show.

Westport WiNG™ Power System F-250 and F-350 Receive CARB Certification

Westport has received certification from the California Air Resources Board (CARB) for its 2015 model year Westport WiNG™ Power System Ford F-250 and F-350 pickup trucks with the dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) system. Westport is the only natural gas system provider that also currently offers a CARB certified dedicated Ford F-150 truck in the market. CARB certified vehicles meet all applicable California emission regulations.

Join Westport for Natural Gas 201 – Delivering Options – Free Webinar

Join Westport and Clean Energy Fuels for Part Two of our free webinar series for operators of a full range of vehicles, from vans and step vans to Class 8 tractors. Register here: https://wpt.webex.com/wpt/onstage/g.php?t=a&d=809947500&sourceid=FFT

This is a follow up to the June 26 webinar: Natural gas 101 – Delivering Savings. In this second webinar we will build on the basics to provide more information for building a natural gas fleet.

Topics covered in Natural Gas 201 will include:

• Vehicle packages and financing options
• Leveraging incentives to accelerate returns
• Local dealer and service infrastructure
• Fleet operator reference case
• Maintenance considerations

During Natural gas 101, guest speakers Paul Osbourn of Westport and Chad Lindholm of Clean Energy reviewed a wide range of topics and information for fleets in the ground delivery industry who are looking to address the operating cost of rising gasoline and diesel prices by transitioning to natural gas powered vehicles.

Drivers and owners can experience significant fuel savings, as demonstrated by the example of a FedEx fleet owner in Tyler, Texas, who is driving a compressed natural gas (CNG) powered F-59 step van. His story was aired by CBS recently and shared with the webinar audience.

On June 17 CBS aired a story about the a FedEx contractor who is driving a Ford F-59 with compressed natural gas. The vehicle is powered by a Westport WiNG™ Power System.