Natural gas vehicles and Lone Star State hospitality for ACT Expo attendees

With a number of new product announcements for Westport and Cummins Westport, and a tour of our local installation facility, this year’s Alternative Clean Transportation Expo (ACT Expo) in Dallas was a busy event for Westport.

Westport's Paul Shaffer with the 2016 Ford F-150 at ACT Expo

Leading this year’s ACT Expo announcements was Ford’s unveiling of the model year 2016 Ford F-150, available with a gaseous prep package for compressed natural gas (CNG). As one of Ford’s leading Qualified Vehicle Modifiers (QVM), Westport provided a fresh-from-the-floor model for the announcement, featuring the Westport WiNG Power System, which allows the vehicle to operate in either dedicated CNG or bi-fuel options.

T. Boone Pickens gives the opening presentation at ACT Expo

Not surprisingly, the key topic of the panel discussion at ACT Expo’s opening session was the current price of oil and its recent – and potential – impact on the alternative transportation industry. Well-known natural gas advocate Boone Pickens told the audience that history is bound to repeat itself: he said he’s seen oil prices collapse several times since the 1980s, only to rebound again.

“I promise you,” said Pickens, “you’ll be back up to $90 by the end of next year.” 

Westporters Jamie and Eve speak to trade show attendees

On the exhibition floor, Westport showcased the Westport™ iCE PACK LNG Tank System. It drew much attention as the only system approved for sale in Canada by Transport Canada. 

Cummins Westport President Rob Nietzke and others unveil the new ISB6.7 G engine

Two key announcements from Cummins Westport (CWI) garnered a lot of attention during the show: the unveiling of the CWI ISB6.7 G engine – targeted at school buses, shuttle buses, medium-duty trucking and vocational markets in North America – along with the announcement of the start of field tests this year in California in transit buses with a spark ignited natural gas engine capable of producing Near Zero NOx emissions.

Fun was had by all at the ACT Expo off-site tour to Westport Dallas

Wrapping up the week, ACT Expo attendees were invited on a tour of Westport’s Dallas facility, where team members provided an overview of the installation process of the Westport WiNG Power System, the requirements of being a Ford QVM facility, an opportunity to meet and speak with Westport’s technical team, and of course, enjoy some Texas hospitality.