Bi-fuel Volvo V70 shows off during trip to Ireland with Gas Networks

Rodger O’Connor is an expert at finding solutions to problems. An engineer by training, his current challenge is to develop a market for natural gas transportation across Ireland, creating an environment friendly for both fueling stations and vehicles.

Rodger with the bi-fuel Volvo V70 on arrival in Ireland

In April, Rodger – Commercial Innovation Analyst with Gas Networks Ireland – decided to give the industry a push by borrowing a Volvo V70, powered with Westport’s bi-fuel compressed natural gas (CNG) system to give business and government leaders, along with fleet owners and staff, a chance to see the potential for natural gas vehicles in the country. 

2016 Bi-Fuel Volvo V60 & V70 Unveiled: High Performance, Low Emissions

Westport launches 2016 Bi-fuel Volvo V60 and V70 in Gothenburg, Sweden

To celebrate the launch of the model year 2016 Volvo cars featuring the recently announced Drive-E featuring Westport natural gas combustion technology, Westport Sweden hosted an event March 25 and 26 at the Volvo test track in Göteburg (Gothenburg).

Ulf Möck of Volvo test drives the new 2016 bi-fuel Volvo

Volvo Cars is the first original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to feature the new Westport system. It will be used on Volvo's new two-litre, direct injection, four-cylinder Drive-E powertrain family, which will be available on the Volvo V60 and V70 2016 models.

Westport Rallies for Natural Gas Vehicle Adoption in Europe

Westport will be hitting the road this week as a participant in the Blue Corridor Natural Gas Vehicle Rally, happening from October 3 to 19. Organized by fuel suppliers Gazprom and E.ON, the rally stars in St. Petersburg, Russia, and travels a 3,900 kilometre route around the Baltic Sea, with stops in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland. It even includes a ride on a ferry that operates on liquefied natural gas.

Westport’s Mats Christensson will be driving a bi-fuel Volvo V70, powered by Westport’s natural gas system, from our facility in Gothenborg, Sweden to Hamburg, Germany.

“The rally is organized by major natural gas suppliers in Europe, and we believe it’s a good way to promote the use of natural gas vehicles,” says Mats.

Westport's Mats Christensson hits the road Oct. 8 - 10, driving the bi-fuel Volvo V70 starting in Gothenborg. 

This is the seventh Blue Corridor rally, and since the first one was held the number of natural gas vehicles worldwide has almost doubled from 9.5 million to more than 17 million today.

Natural gas vehicles offer economic and environmental benefits, and part of the purpose of the rally is to educate fleets, public authorities and the public about the advantages of considering NGVs over vehicles that operate on petroleum-based fuels.

Westport will be on hand for a round table discussion with industry, policy makers, and auto enthusiasts, and to display the Volvo V70 while in Hamburg on October 10.

“We’ll be exhibiting the vehicle to anyone who’s interested in learning more,” says Mats.

And people who happen to miss the rally stop and exhibition in Hamburg can still have a chance to see the Volvo V70, as it will be on loan to the Auto Nova Volvo dealership in Hamburg through to December.

Follow Mats’s journey during the Rally on Twitter @WestportDotCom from October 8 through 10.

The route Mats will drive for the Blue Corridor rally beginning in Gothenborg, Sweden.