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.

Westport Helps Cyclists Stay on Course during the Road World Championships

Cycling’s pinnacle event, the Road World Championships – also known as Worlds – is underway in 

Richmond, Virginia, USA and Westport’s Ford Transit van is on the move shuttling cyclists to and from their races.

Cycling’s pinnacle event, the Road World Championships – also known as Worlds – is under way in 

Richmond, Virginia, USA and Westport’s Ford Transit van is on the move shuttling cyclists to and from their races.

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.”

LNG to Meet More U.S. Fleet Needs with Tax Fix

Why are some U.S. fleets eager for winter? This summer’s big news for liquefied natural gas (LNG) means fleets running on the fuel will benefit beginning this winter. A new law in the United States was enacted to bring LNG excise taxes measured in line with diesel on an energy basis – using diesel gallon equivalents (DGE). The new law will effect January 1, 2016.

Instead of being charged tax by volume as has been in the past, LNG will be taxed on its energy equivalent relative to diesel. Based on the high-fuel-use applications that LNG most benefits, which compete mainly with diesel fuel, this creates more easily equalized comparisons for fleet operators, as well as the tax benefits.

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.

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.

Westport Parts + Service Debuts at Automechanika in Chicago

Westport Parts + Service: combining technology, market experience and OE manufacturing excellence.

Natural gas vehicle fleets and drivers require the highest quality parts and service available to maintain their alternative fuel engine systems. Westport Parts + Service—a new division of Westport Innovations—is launching this week at Automechanika in Chicago. Automechanika Chicago is the largest tradeshow and training event for the Automotive Aftermarket industry.

The Westport Parts + Service booth #2724 at Automechanika Chicago

Westport Parts + Service also announces the opportunity for distributors to join us and our key partners in delivering reliable, accessible original engine (OE) quality parts and service to the growing North American natural gas vehicle market.

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.

Truckloads of Toys for Girls and Boys with DFW Toys for Tots

Westport Dallas is filling stockings for less fortunate children this holiday season by working with our vehicle “Stocking Program” business and community partners to collect new, unwrapped toys December 1st through 12th for the Dallas Forth Worth Toys for Tots program.

Westport and local Dallas partners – All Size Supply Co., Stealth Industry, General Truck Body Manufacturing Company, and Pro Staff Administrative & Light Industrial Staffing – are collecting toys for the program. We’re challenging other partners, suppliers and natural gas industry groups to make this holiday season a happier time for their communities.

Please help Toys for Tots to bring toys to less fortunate kids by holding a toy drive at your location, or by donating a new, unwrapped toy at Westport Dallas, one of our partner locations, or any Toys for Tots drop box location.

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.”

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.

State of the Union Addresses Natural Gas Vehicles

The natural gas vehicle (NGV) industry was in the spotlight last week, making headlines after U.S. President Barak Obama’s remarks in his annual State of the Union address in support of switching more cars and trucks from oil to natural gas:

…natural gas – if extracted safely, it’s the bridge fuel that can power our economy with less of the carbon pollution that causes climate change...I’ll cut red tape to help states get those factories built, and this Congress can help by putting people to work building fueling stations that shift more cars and trucks from foreign oil to American natural gas.

In addition, three bills were proposed last week by U.S. Representatives Lee Terry and Sam Graves, both Republican Congressmen, geared at increasing the number of natural gas trucks. The bills propose multiple measures to increase the adoption rate of natural gas including: designated natural gas fueling corridors for long haul traffic, truck weight exemptions for the additional weight of natural gas tanks, and a task force to evaluate duel adoption transition barriers.

While these bills have to go through multiple stages before they can be voted on in Congress, Paul Kerkhoven, Director, Government Relations of NGVAmerica, says the initiatives may end up being incorporated into more comprehensive legislation, such as the Highway Bill.

“Anytime the President says natural gas three times, it’s a good thing for the industry,” Paul says. “These developments indicate a heightened interest in increasing the discussion at the national level around how to encourage a switch from gasoline or diesel, to natural gas.”

Paul adds both Congressmen Terry and Graves are strong NGV supporters and his organization is working with them to further their ideas and efforts towards the increasing use of NGVs.

Some industry supporters are eager for immediate action. T. Boone Pickens, Founder of BP Capital and the Pickens Fuel Corp. – the predecessor company to Clean Energy – told Pickens Plan Facebook page followers that the President should “Sign an executive order mandating government vehicles use natural gas, and that those who contract with the federal government for goods and services do, too.”

Paul says national-level attention puts the cause in the spotlight:

“The industry has done a good job of education and increasing awareness. People are concentrating on it and looking at it – it’s always a good thing.”

Roll Call: Alternative Fuel Vehicle Technician Certification Programs On the Rise

As the natural gas vehicle industry grows, more institutions are offering technician certification courses to meet growing student demand. These courses are designed to teach experienced automotive technicians to service and repair natural gas vehicles (NGVs).

Different jurisdictions have varying requirements for alternative fuel vehicle (AFV) technicians. The State of Oklahoma, for instance, stipulates that technicians who work on alternate fuel vehicles need to pass the Oklahoma State Certification Test to be certified as an alternative fuels equipment technician.

Oklahoma City Community College (OCCC) has been offering courses in both compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for the past four years to prepare technicians to pass the state exam. The Professional Development Institute within the college offers a three-day program which has graduated about 450 people to date.  Six students take the $500 course each week, year round.

Shane Snyder is an automotive technician at Fowler Honda in Norman, Oklahoma. He recently completed OCCC’s course.

“It covers all of the bases in a short amount of time,” Shane said. “They teach a lot about natural gas vehicle laws and safety – once you know the information it’s much easier to work on the vehicles. I’m a lot more comfortable after taking the class.”

Shane said his peers work in the areas of fleet services, government fleets, and private dealerships, among others.

John Vanhook, Director of OCCC’s Professional Development Institute, said students receive training in safety, fuel characteristics, system descriptions and operation, fuel line bending, system diagnosis, system inspection and regulations. They have to pass five physical tests during the course where they ‘debug’ problems in a hands-on environment.

“We’ve achieved the state-level support that is needed,” John said. “We get inquiries from across the United States almost every day about this program.”

According to the Atlanta-based Natural Gas Vehicle Institute, NGV safety is a critical responsibility for every fleet manager operating CNG vehicles or liquefied natural gas (LNG) vehicles. The website states there are four key factors vital to safe NGV fleet operations:

• Safe driving 
• Safe fueling 
• Safe maintenance 
• Standardized fuel system inspections 

The demand for training in this area continues to grow, and in August Linn Benton College announced a $1.5 million award from the U.S. Economic Development Administration to help fund a 10,000 square foot alternative fuels training center in Lebanon, Oregon to train automotive, trucking and heavy equipment technicians, scheduled to open in 2014.

Check out these resources for more information on natural gas vehicle training and certification:

United States
(General): http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/technician_training.html
Oklahoma: http://www.occc.edu/
(The Oklahoma Division of Capital Assets Management in Oklahoma also offers a map which identifies alternative fuels technicians and/or companies who have been state-certified.)
Atlanta: http://www.ngvi.com/ngv_safety.html
West Virginia: http://naftc.wvu.edu/course_workshop_information/training_schedule
Oregon: https://www.linnbenton.edu/

Canada
(General): http://www.gowithnaturalgas.ca/getting-started/training/
Toronto: http://db2.centennialcollege.ca/ce/coursedetail.php?CourseCode=CEAF-804

Europe’s Natural Gas Vehicle Industry Stakeholders Meet this November in Amsterdam

European stakeholders across the supply chain are preparing for the 2nd Annual Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Conference and Exhibition on November 25-26 in Amsterdam. This is Westport’s second year at the event and we’re excited to have another opportunity to encourage expanding Europe’s NGV market.

Along with promoting natural gas as a viable transportation fuel, this year’s NGV Conference and Expo will have a strong focus on informing fleet customers of the benefits that switching to natural gas can bring to their businesses.

Westport’s Director of Market Development, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), Nadège Leclercq says, “We like the idea of fleet operators being better informed about the possibilities and advantages of using natural gas as a vehicle fuel, because today most of the transportation companies are not aware. At this event they will be able to learn from major European companies that are already using natural gas vehicles. We believe it will be very valuable to share this experience.”

Contributing to this goal is Gordon Exel, Westport’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Americas and EMEA, who’ll be speaking at the conference. Attendees will also hear expert insights and outlooks from organisations such as Volvo Trucks, Gazprom Export, Daimler AG and the European Commission among many other key market players.

The event’s aim is to provide solutions for Europe’s transportation industry and show fleet organisations how to effectively and seamlessly integrate natural gas fuel into their operations.

Fleet owners and operators will learn about important gas engine technology updates and current investments in expanding the fuelling infrastructure network from senior level attendees representing the leading fleets, gas producers, utilities, fuel distributors and infrastructure developers. Owners and operators will also have a chance to connect with other transportation and fleet companies who’ve already made the switch to natural gas-fuelled fleets.

The demand for NGVs and infrastructure is growing, and with Europe’s increasingly stricter emissions standards, the NGV conference is more pertinent than ever. NGVs can significantly contribute to Europe’s CO2 emission reduction objectives. In January 2013, the European Commission announced plans for a network of compressed and liquefied natural gas refuelling stations covering the whole European Union.

Don’t wait… Mark your calendar and visit the Natural Gas Vehicle Conference website to register for the event!

Westport at Work on Incentives

Federal and state incentive programs, in the form of grants, rebates and tax credits are becoming a valuable tool to encourage fleets to purchase natural gas vehicles. 

Incentives help reduce the incremental cost of a natural gas vehicle, and decrease the payback time. We explored this topic in a previous blog post.

Westport works with its customers to guide them through the process of successfully applying for vehicle incentive funding.

Several programs are available to help fleets. Currently, California, Texas and Pennsylvania have the most robust incentive programs for both heavy haul and automotive sectors – many other states offer ongoing incentive programs through tax credits or vehicle rebates.

Valerie Parr, Westport’s Grants Analyst, helps customers complete grant applications in the state or province in which they operate. 

“Government agencies offering incentives are working to get older, less clean technology off the road,” she says. “These programs illustrate how deployment of natural gas vehicles and infrastructure build-out are being encouraged at the federal, state and provincial levels and ultimately propel the transportation industry towards cleaner opportunities.”

Grant applications are evaluated based on specific criteria, such as the age of the vehicle being replaced, expected distance travelled and emissions that will ultimately be reduced. Applications require some calculations and a plan demonstrating how fleets will save fuel and reduce emissions. Many programs have goals to reduce emissions within “non-attainment areas” – areas which have the worst emissions, often near ports or large cities.

Valerie says applications often require proof of how much time a fleet is spending in the designated non-attainment areas; reporting to the funding agency for a few years after the vehicle purchase is standard. Some programs are open for a limited time, often only eight weeks is provided to get applications in, while others are open for nine months.

The recently-announced New York Truck Voucher Incentive Program is designed as first-come, first-served until the total amount of funds is exhausted. Kate Muller, Director of Communications, says the goal of the program is to encourage the adoption of new cleaner technologies by reducing the cost to the consumer.

“These early sales help to reduce the price of future vehicles by creating economies of scale in production,” she says. “The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) estimates that this program could encourage the purchase or retrofit of up to 1,000 low-emission trucks in areas of the state with the poorest air quality.”

It includes six million in vouchers of up to $40,000 for the purchase or lease of an alternatively-fuelled vehicle, including a compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle, in New York City.

Westport also works with agencies, such as the Texas Commission for Environmental Quality to ensure our vehicles meet specifications required to qualify for natural gas-related grants, rebates or tax credits. For certain state incentive programs, vehicles must meet EPA and CARB certification standards in order to qualify.

Andrea Morrow, spokesperson for The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, says the program has been an effective way to encourage the transition to cleaner vehicles powered by alternative fuels.

“In the last ten years, the program awarded more than $858 million for the upgrade or replacement of 14,685 heavy-duty vehicles, locomotives, marine vessels, and pieces of equipment,” she says. Upgrades or replacements included natural gas and diesel.

Westport has a list of all the available incentives in North America, updated regularly to ensure up-to-date information, available here.

Incentives, Grants and Tax Credits: Helping Drive the Adoption of NGVs

As natural gas becomes an increasingly viable alternative to gasoline or diesel in fleet transportation, more countries around the world are offering natural gas vehicle (NGV) tax credits, grants and incentives, enabling a more affordable transition for fleet managers and individuals. These measures are offered by governments - many at the state or provincial levels – as well as by non-governmental agencies. 

In Sweden, the government recently announced the extension of an incentive until 2016 whereby company car buyers receive a 40 per cent reduced tax rate. This makes the cost of NGVs competitive with gasoline or diesel-powered vehicles in that country.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), in recent years, state incentives, including tax credits, grants, and rebates, have supported the deployment of natural gas vehicles and the associated infrastructure. In addition, certain state laws and regulations, such as fleet acquisition requirements, have increased the number of NGVs on the road.

The DOE’s Alternative Fuels Data Center offers a database which allows users to search for natural gas laws and incentives in every state. In addition, the advanced search narrows the parameters even further. Also, the page called   Incentive and Law Additions by Fuel and Technology Type, allows visitors to select specific fuel types and view natural gas incentives and laws according to a specific fuel.

In 2012 alone, over 35 new incentives and laws related to natural gas were added to the database.

In Pennsylvania, the Department of Environmental Protection is leading the Natural Gas Vehicle Program, which was recently widely reported in the media.  The Alternative Fuels Incentive Grant program is currently offering an estimated $10 million in grants. It offers:

An opportunity to propose projects which will convert or purchase natural gas vehicles weighing less than 14,000 pounds as well as convert or purchase electric, propane, or other alternative fuel vehicles of any size.

Pennsylvania is joined by several other states in offering financial incentives to invest in NGVs: Maryland, New York, Wisconsin, Colorado, California, Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and West Virginia are a few states which also offer programs. Some states, like Texas, offer programs which cover up to 80 per cent of the incremental cost of an NGV; others like California, offer various programs which open periodically when funds are available.

Keith Leech, fleet manager with the City of Sacramento is also the area’s Clean Cities coordinator and chairman. He says the Federal alternative fuel excise tax credit of 50 cents per gallon has enabled his city to double its natural gas fuel infrastructure.

“I’m not sure we could have done it without it,” Leech says.

The City of Sacramento currently operates 100 liquefied natural gas (LNG) refuse trucks with four LNG dispensers.

“We’ve been running natural gas garbage trucks for over 10 years and it’s going great,” he says.

His city also just received a $600,000 grant from the California Energy Commission and he says the number of public fueling stations is also increasing.

In Canada, British Columbia’s FortisBC, the largest investor-owned distribution utility in Canada, has initiated the FORTIS Natural Gas for Transport Incentive Program: they offer incentives for heavy, medium and light duty vehicles.  The government of BC has also recently extended its Clean Energy Vehicles for BC program, which includes incentives for CNG vehicles.

In China, the government has long supported natural gas vehicles by offering incentives at the local and central levels. Since 2006, the country has offered a range of programs aimed at promoting natural gas-based clean transportation for the purpose of reducing emissions, saving energy and ensuring national energy security.

For current information about incentives near you, visit Westport’s new incentives chart: http://www.westport.com/products/engines/15/tax-credits-and-incentives.

Have you been successful in receiving a grant or tax incentive? Tell us about it!

Natural Gas Vehicle Program Shifts Local Businesses to a Cleaner Transportation Fuel

On May 15, the government of British Columbia announced the Greenhouse Gas Regulation to promote the adoption of natural gas vehicles in the province. As a global leader in natural gas vehicle (NGV) engine technologies headquartered in BC, we realize this is not only an endorsement from our own government of the potential for NGVs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but also in the shift towards cleaner burning fuels.

While BC is already home to several organizations with natural gas fleets - such as Vedder Transport and Waste Management, - this program may be the catalyst for more fleet conversions in the province. The program not only offers incentives to transportation fleets wishing to adopt natural gas, but it may also increase infrastructure whose current lack is a barrier to the greater adoption of NGVs.

This new incentive program, administered by FortisBC - gives businesses in the province a chance to capitalize on a domestic ‘home-grown’ fuel that the global marketplace is increasingly demanding. We look forward to seeing the roll-out of this Greenhouse Gas Reduction incentive program and to BC businesses enjoying the advantages of adopting natural gas as a transportation fuel.