Uncertain future for natural gas vehicles? Think again!

The future of the natural gas vehicle market in an era of cheap diesel fuel and gasoline was a headline topic at last week’s 2016 NTEA Work Truck Show in Indianapolis. A record number of fleet owners and managers, OEM reps, equipment suppliers, government delegates and other industry professionals turned up to learn the latest.

Westport’s Brad Douville, VP of Business Development and a mechanical engineer by trade, spoke at the premier industry event, which incorporated the Green Truck Summit and hailed Jay Leno as a key note speaker. So what’s in store? In this article Brad talks about new tech, GHG wins and the stable customer base that’s not going anywhere.

Brad Douville, Westport VP of Business Development

New natural gas vehicle technology

I had a clear goal for my presentation. For industry professionals to leave knowing that, while the natural gas work trucks that we have on the roads right now are great, next-generation technology will make them even better and deliver more compelling benefits than ever before.

To demonstrate this, I showcased Westport’s advanced powertrain technology, which we call Enhanced Spark Ignition (ESI), as well as the new conformable CNG tank technology from San Francisco start-up company—Volute.

So what’s exciting about Westport’s ESI technology? For the first time we have a spark ignited natural gas engine solution that exceeds the power, torque and performance of state-of-the-art diesel engines and provides substantial fuel economy improvements. Up to this point, the peak torque output of spark ignited natural gas engines has been 15% to 25% lower than the counterpart diesel engines. Through our ESI technology, we have re-imagined the possibilities. By relieving the constraint of retaining the diesel cylinder head and designing an entirely new spark ignited optimized head, natural gas engines are able to outperform diesel for the first time. Plus they can do it in a way that improves the robustness of the combustion and reliability of the engine components.

Demonstration engine featuring Westport’s next-generation Enhanced Spark Ignition (ESI) technology – smaller, lighter, more powerful, and more fuel efficient than today’s natural gas engines

For anyone who hasn’t heard of Volute technology before, it’s new, conformable CNG tank technology that uses standard Type IV CNG cylinder materials (i.e. carbon fibre wrapped polymer liner) in a novel hose-like or sausage-link configuration. This makes it a lighter, lower cost system that can be folded to fit on any vehicle using existing available spaces—a real challenge with today’s bulky, standard CNG cylinders. This exciting new natural gas technology has been developed with funding from the US Department of Energy’s ARPA-E MOVE program, combined with investment and expertise from Westport (as an equity owner).

Volute CEO, Dan Recht showing Ernest Moniz, Secretary of Energy, conformable CNG tank technology which was recently featured in online news publication www.fortune.com

GHG wins for OEMs

Stringent upcoming phase two GHG regulations are set to shift the burden on OEMs away from the engine and onto the vehicle itself. This trend leaves few existing options in the work truck segment, other than costly electrification and hybridization. Westport's ESI approach can provide OEMs with a natural gas engine solution that complies with the tough 2027 EPA regulation levels well ahead of time without electrification/hybridization. We believe this will offer the best value for fleet owners (end-users) due to the low purchase price and lowest cost of any fuel on the market.

Stable customer base regardless of current oil price

Waste Management fleet using natural gas

In a time of cheap oil, we have seen fleets that have made natural gas (NG) work continue to stay on this path. Mike Britt, from UPS, did a great job of sharing how NG makes good business sense for them even in the current environment.

We are witnessing savvy fleet owners foreseeing volatility in oil prices and stability in NG prices over the medium- and long-term. This is because running a payback analysis on today's fuel cost differential doesn't do much good when the vehicle fleet will operate over many years. The trick is to compare the average fuel cost differential over time, taking into account that most experts predict the price of oil will go up in the coming years. Using this equation, we believe that many fleet owners will see clear financial benefits for converting to natural gas.

So what’s next for Westport?

Through my interactions with other industry professionals, I am regularly told that many view Westport as a leading innovator within the NGV industry. A company that looks to the future and pushes the boundaries of what is possible to keep advancing technology and creating new solutions for customers. This is a role we will continue to play.

To learn more about the 2016 Ford F-150 and other Ford products with CNG contact us at 855-978-9464, fordsales@westport.com or visit www.westport.com/wing. To find an OEM using larger natural gas engines visit the Cummins Westport webpage. Or contact Brad Douville via bdouville@westport.com to learn more about Westport’s ESI technology or Volute technology.

Making the Most of Your Fleet Budget: Alternative Fuel Vehicles & Other Savings

It’s budget time. Fleet managers are focused on their fleets and identifying savings to optimize operations for 2016 and beyond.

Here are some tips to facilitate the budgeting process and uncover opportunities to contain costs:

Leverage Volume & Vehicle Service

Fleet managers may be able to negotiate rebates from their vehicle maintenance providers based on volume. By developing a list of maintenance services each vehicle will need during its service life, fleet managers can ask their fleet management company to forecast prices for vehicle services in the next year and negotiate pricing based on the number of fleet vehicles.

Collins Bus Delivers First NEXBUS® CNG Type A School Bus to Pennsylvania School District

New natural gas-powered buses feature the Westport WiNG Power System.

Collins Bus Corporation has delivered the first four production units of its new NEXBUS® compressed natural gas (CNG) Type A school bus to the Lower Merion School District in Montgomery County, Pa. With more than half of its 117 vehicle fleet fueled by CNG, the Lower Merion School District boasts one of the largest fleets of alternative fuel school buses on the East coast.

“We are excited to see the delivery of the first Ford Factory OEM approved CNG Type A school bus,” said John Walsh, vice president of sales for ASV Bus, the parent company to Collins Bus. “The Collins NEXBUS CNG model demonstrates ASV’s commitment to meeting customer demands for environmentally friendly vehicles powered by clean alternative fuel systems that reduce carbon emissions.”

Back-to-School Is Easy with Collins Type A School Bus Featuring Westport WiNG

Largest Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier Delivers Solutions with Collins Bus Corporation

The Back-to-School season is here and school districts are busy planning for the next academic year. For some school systems new transportation budgets may be identified, while others may need to replace old school buses unexpectedly.

In either case, school districts and municipalities are increasingly looking for school buses with alternative fuel options, such as compressed natural gas, to support their sustainability efforts while decreasing fuel costs.

Westport aftermarket systems show Autopromotec visitors high performance capabilities

Offering high performance solutions for drivers are an Emer diesel duel fuel for heavy-duty and Prins LPG system for direct injection light-duty petrol engines

In Italy in May, Westport attended Autopromotec, a leading aftermarket event, showcasing its Prins and Emer brands.

Both Westport brands offer systems for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG, or autogas) and compressed natural gas (CNG) for a wide range of engines. By using alternative fuels like CNG or LPG, drivers can immediately save fuel costs and reduce emissions such as CO2 and particulate matter. 

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.

Students get all the way from Houston to Detroit with help from Westport Dallas CNG components

When University of Houston College of Technology students Roberto Guerra, Alberth Chavez, and Giovani Guzman  – known as Team Red Octane – entered the 2015 Shell Eco-marathon Americas, they knew they were in for a challenge. What they didn’t count on was how challenging it would be to find the critical compressed natural gas (CNG) parts needed for their entry, with only weeks left before the competition.

Team Red Octane: Roberto, Alberth, and Giovani

The team had entered in another category last year, but this year - as university engineering technology seniors who must complete this as a degree requirement - the expectations and demands are much higher. The CNG category is new to the Shell Eco-marathon, and their CNG Urban-Concept must be a realistic, four-wheel model with extensive specifications and prerequisites from the organizers.

Colorado keeps alternative fuel vehicles on the road with grant program

Are you considering natural gas or other alternative fuel for your fleet in Colorado? There’s only one 

week left to apply for this cycle of Alt Fuels Colorado program funding.

With applications due March 3, 2015, funding of up to 80 percent of the incremental cost of a Class 2 to Class 8 alternative fuel vehicle is available in 11 Colorado counties.

The grant covers light-, medium-, and heavy-duty vehicles – from pickups to refuse trucks – operated by public, private or non-profit fleets. Alternative fuel vehicles must be new, original equipment manufacturer (OEM) models powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied petroleum gas (LPG or propane autogas), electricity (EV), or CNG bi-fuel.

Eligible fleets include those based, “in or near the Colorado ozone non-attainment and/or carbon monoxide maintenance areas” and operating at least 60 percent of the time in those areas.[1]

Westport's Emer Introduces CNG Diesel Dual Fuel Poseidone System

On January 31, Emer, a Westport company, is introducing its Diesel Dual Fuel (DDF) Technology with CNG to a group of Italian fleets interested in natural gas vehicles. Named Poseidone System, the recently launched DDF technology is already in more than 120 engine types in 21 different countries.

The Emer Poseidone System is Europe’s only diesel and natural gas DDF system certified Euro V with plans to meet Euro VI standards in 2015. The system uses controller area network protocol, a vehicle bus standard, designed to allow microcontrollers and devices to communicate within a vehicle, eliminating the need for a host computer. This allows specific calibration for optimum system performance. The system’s unique function also monitors diesel consumption during vehicle operation, minimizing harmful emissions.

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.

Westport Speakers Sought Out for Natural Gas Transportation Conferences

Westport's Scott Winton presents at NGV USA in Houston, June 13, 2014.

As natural gas applications for transportation become increasingly pervasive, Westport’s executives are sought after for their expertise in industry-wide conferences.

Scott Winton, Westport’s Senior Director, OEM Development and Sales, presented to a crowd of around 70 at the Natural Gas Vehicles USA conference in Houston, Texas last week. Scott’s presentation, Natural Gas for Trucking Applications, was featured in the June 13 session, Heavy Duty Natural Gas Vehicle Overview.

His presentation included a wide range of subjects around natural gas for transportation and reviewed topics like why go with natural gas, compressed natural gas (CNG) vs. liquefied natural gas (LNG), the differences between spark-ignited and high pressure direct injection combustion technologies and how to make the switch to natural gas based on fleet size and needs. 

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.

Medicine Hat Steers its Fleet Towards Natural Gas

The City of Medicine Hat likes to plan ahead.

When the Alberta municipality chose to steer its fleet towards natural gas a few years ago, the main reasons were more predictable municipal budgets, in addition to environmental benefits for a more sustainable community.

The city has ordered a fleet of compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to be delivered over the next several years, in addition to natural gas-powered garbage trucks and a few light duty trucks.

John Komanchuk, the City of Medicine Hat’s CNG Project Manager, says tumultuous diesel prices have made municipal budget planning – a process which is done three years in advance – increasingly challenging.

“The way the price of diesel has swung over the last several years has made budgets difficult,” John says. “We anticipate more stability with CNG.”

MHQ – Meeting a Rising Demand for Natural Gas-Powered Emergency Vehicles

As an emergency vehicle supplier to police, fire and transportation departments in Northeastern United States for the past 34 years, MHQ has a good sense of what its customers want. Recently, more of its customers are telling the company they want to drive natural gas vehicles (NGVs).

Tom Emig, MHQ Fleet Account Manager, said he noticed a change in demand about two years ago, as more fleet managers were becoming aware of the price discrepancy between natural gas and diesel, and wanting to take advantage of it.

Since then, MHQ has sold an increasing number of Ford Westport WiNG™ Power System pickup trucks, plows and vans to its largest customer, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transportation. They have purchased about 30 dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) Ford F250s in the last two years.

“We are the biggest contractor selling vehicles to the state, so we responded to their demand,” Tom says. “Several other cities are also purchasing them as they take advantage of state and federal level-incentives.”

Driving NGVs, All Along the Line

The Railroad Commission of Texas (RCC) is driving the adoption of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in more ways than one.

The RCC is a state agency with regulatory jurisdiction over the oil and natural gas industry. Since September 2013 the Commission’s legislative mandate has included promoting the use of natural gas as an alternative fuel.

The agency organizes seminars across the state where panels of experts meet with fleet operators and other stakeholders to discuss grants, incentives, economic, regulatory and policy issues related to natural gas vehicles. In addition, the RCC owns NGVs, driven by field staff who inspect installations and facilities under Railroad Commission jurisdiction.

Dan Kelly, Director of RCC’s Alternative Fuels Research & Education Division (AFRED), says a wide array of public and private fleet operators have attended Railroad Commissioner David Porter’s informational sessions in several Texas cities. Attendees have represented and range of interests including: city, county and state fleets, oilfield service companies, school districts, trucking, construction and engineering companies, and waste and recycling haulers.

RCC Commissioner David Porter refuels a Westport CNG truck at the grand opening of the Apache/United Ag CNG station in El Campo Texas.

Drive Ahead with Free CNG from Westport and Clean Energy

Today, less than one percent of all U.S. stations are selling gas for less than $3.00 per gallon compared to the average price of compressed natural gas (CNG) of $2.11 per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE). In some U.S. states, including Oklahoma, the average price of CNG is even lower at $1.62 per GGE.

Westport and Clean Energy Fuels are making it even more cost effective to drive a natural gas vehicle with a free fuel offer.

Go with Natural Gas Event Takes the Stage in BC

Surrey BC’s “Go with Natural Gas Outreach Hub” event on February 26 featured a lively discussion on natural gas vehicles (NGVs), with topics such as product options, fuelling station options, garage modifications, incentives, and a fleet case study of Cold Star Freight of Vancouver Island.

Approximately 60 people from industry, fleets, and government attended. Angus Taylor, Senior Manager of Transportation and Renewable Energy at C3 based in Calgary, hosted the event. Go with Natural Gas events have taken place across Canada to educate and promote the use of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) in transportation.

The workshop gave a broad scope of information on adopting natural gas for transportation with speakers such as Jeff Campbell of Cummins Westport Inc. who spoke about product options for natural gas engines and available configurations.

Steve Steinebach, VP Business Development at IMW Industries, Ltd., a Clean Energy company, gave an overview of fuelling station options and infrastructure development trends.

Langley BC company Jenmar Concepts led a discussion on garage modifications for CNG readiness. All the necessary standards, equipment and considerations required to upfit a garage gave the audience the quick overview to help in decision-making.

Georgina Wheatcroft speaks about incentives for natural gas.

Driving What They’re Selling: DTE Energy on Why Their Fleet Includes NGVs

Providing electricity and gas services to over three million customers in Michigan requires DTE Energy staff to drive vehicles they can rely on. The company maintains a fleet of nearly 5,000 vehicles, which includes around 300 natural gas vehicles (NGVs). Each vehicle logs about 18,000 miles annually.

“Being a natural gas utility, we’ve always been interested in using CNG as a vehicle fuel,” says Mark Johnson, Director of Fleet Operations.

One of DTE Energy's 300 natural gas vehicles: a bi-fuel Westport WiNG™ Ford F-250 pickup.

The company’s field staff and supervisors spend a significant amount of time driving to customer sites, setting up utility service and responding to power concerns, among other duties. Several field staff drive bi-fuel Ford F-250 Westport WiNG™ Power System pickups and many will soon drive the Westport WiNG Ford F-150 dedicated compressed natural gas (CNG) pickup; the company placed orders for Ford’s first-ever offering of the CNG-capable F-150.

What’s Better than Cheap CNG? Free CNG!

Westport and Clean Energy Fuels are teaming up to give customers free fuel if they buy a qualifying Westport WiNG™ Power System powered Ford vehicle before December 31, 2013. Customers who order five or more vehicles will receive credits for free compressed natural gas (CNG) at any of the retail Clean Energy CNG stations across the United States.

As leaders in the natural gas vehicle (NGV) industry, Westport and Clean Energy are working together to lead the transition to NGVs – vehicles using a cleaner fuel that is domestically abundant and more affordable than gasoline. The free fuel offer gives existing fleets, and fleets considering natural gas vehicles, the chance to enjoy the technology, performance and ease of refueling NGVs.

The free fuel credits are being offered on a “first-come-first-served” basis, and up to 750,000 gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE) of CNG fuel will be given away by Westport during the promotion. Fleets have until December 31, 2015 to use their free fuel credits.