At Westport our focus is not just developing leading technologies for allowing engines to run on natural gas; we work with industry partners to help develop the market for natural gas vehicles. For instance, our Manager of Government and Regulatory Affairs, Tahra J. devotes her time to, in her words, “breaking down barriers for the deployment of natural gas vehicles (NGVs).”
Tahra’s role at Westport is integral to the increased adoption of natural gas vehicles. She works with internal and external stakeholders to provide information and to pursue current and upcoming grants and incentives applicable to Westport products and research. Not only does she seek incentives that might help businesses shift their fleets to natural gas, she also advocates on behalf of Westport and works to affect legislation and policy for the increased use of natural gas in transportation. In jurisdictions where incentives don’t yet exist, she works with industry peers and local governments to examine how natural gas can help satisfy air quality requirements and ease the finances of local fleets through the adoption of cleaner lower cost fuels. How does she decide where to focus on developing incentives? She gives priority to areas where there are many Westport customers for whom funding would be helpful.
On any given day, Tahra is doing government relations and regulatory work for primarily our heavy-duty business. This includes assessing legislation and regulations that affect the deployment of natural gas vehicles or technologies and ensuring that Westport is well informed about what is happening within the natural gas industry and the external political environment.
In addition, Tahra also works to ensure Westport is represented in key meetings and conferences to provide input to advance the discussion on transitioning away from diesel fuel and to provide leadership and expertise to fleets, policy makers and the public on the advantages of natural gas for transportation .
Showing posts with label Adoption. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Adoption. Show all posts
June 1, 2012
Fleets of Natural Gas Vehicles – Conversion Report
We’re seeing more and more headlines about entire city fleets switching to natural gas as transportation fuel, and the cost-savings they expect thanks to the adopting natural gas engines. Here’s a round-up of some of the latest conversions:
Trussville, Alabama: Earlier this week, Mayor Gene Melton announced that the city’s police car fleet will now run on compressed natural gas (CNG). He estimates savings of approximately $17,000/year per vehicle. Trussville began using CNG vehicles three years ago, and also operate the city dump trucks on CNG.
Canton, Ohio: In May, the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority rolled out its first six CNG buses. The SARTA Executive Director suggests savings of ‘hundreds of thousands of dollars’ in fuel costs per year. By the end of August SARTA expects that 23 of its 85 buses will run on CNG. By 2013 it expects to have eight 40-foot buses, ten 35-foot buses and 32 smaller paratransit buses that will all run on CNG.
Chesapeake, Virginia: The city recently announced that it is planning to convert its fleet of Class 8 solid waste collection trucks from diesel fuel to CNG.
Thomasville, Georgia: The city council has an eye to convert its fleet vehicles to run on CNG where appropriate, and has already approved the construction of a CNT time-fill station. The City plans to purchase four CNG-fueled refuse trucks in the near future, and to convert all 12 of its refuse trucks to CNG during the next three years. Thomasville says it will save $200,000 annually in fuel costs, along with the benefits of reduced emissions and dependence on foreign oil.
Washburn, Wisconsin: Bayfield County purchased five CNG vehicles to be used by various departments. The public grand opening for the Washburn CNG fueling station took place on May 31, 2012.
The adoption of natural gas vehicles by municipalities demonstrates that not only do NGVs offer better fuel cost-savings, but they also produce fewer emissions which is better for the communities being served.
Trussville, Alabama: Earlier this week, Mayor Gene Melton announced that the city’s police car fleet will now run on compressed natural gas (CNG). He estimates savings of approximately $17,000/year per vehicle. Trussville began using CNG vehicles three years ago, and also operate the city dump trucks on CNG.
Canton, Ohio: In May, the Stark Area Regional Transit Authority rolled out its first six CNG buses. The SARTA Executive Director suggests savings of ‘hundreds of thousands of dollars’ in fuel costs per year. By the end of August SARTA expects that 23 of its 85 buses will run on CNG. By 2013 it expects to have eight 40-foot buses, ten 35-foot buses and 32 smaller paratransit buses that will all run on CNG.
Chesapeake, Virginia: The city recently announced that it is planning to convert its fleet of Class 8 solid waste collection trucks from diesel fuel to CNG.
Thomasville, Georgia: The city council has an eye to convert its fleet vehicles to run on CNG where appropriate, and has already approved the construction of a CNT time-fill station. The City plans to purchase four CNG-fueled refuse trucks in the near future, and to convert all 12 of its refuse trucks to CNG during the next three years. Thomasville says it will save $200,000 annually in fuel costs, along with the benefits of reduced emissions and dependence on foreign oil.
Washburn, Wisconsin: Bayfield County purchased five CNG vehicles to be used by various departments. The public grand opening for the Washburn CNG fueling station took place on May 31, 2012.
The adoption of natural gas vehicles by municipalities demonstrates that not only do NGVs offer better fuel cost-savings, but they also produce fewer emissions which is better for the communities being served.
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