automotive fleet discusses the benefits of propane autogas for fleets. A new report commissioned by the Mississippi Propane Gas Association concludes that propane is a better fuel for fleets in North America than gasoline and diesel. Propane is less costly and emits fewer greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, a engine burning propane autogas typically lasts twice as long as a comparable gasoline engine.Maintenance intervals can also be extended because of the lack of particles and corrosion found in oil changes of gasoline-burning engines.
Next Generation Transportation News notes the US state of Colorado is now providing tax credits to fleets that deploy heavy-duty vehicles powered by natural gas or propane. The state already had solid incentives in place for light- and medium-dutyl natural gas vehicles and propane autogas vehicles. Now heavy-duty vehicles that operate on compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG, propane or hydrogen are eligible for the subsidy. The tax credits run through 2012 and range from $6000 to $20,000 depending on the vehicle.
Energy Global gives us a primer on compressed natural gas (CNG).
gasworld informs us that North Dakota LNG is building two liquified natural gas production facilities in the US state of North Dakota. Located in Tioga, North Dakota, the initial plant will produce 10,000 gallons per day (GPD) starting this summer. The second phase will be operational in the fourth quarter of 2014 and will be capable of producing 66,000 GPD. These plants will provide oil and gas operators across North Dakota with an alternative fuel source for transportation and industrial uses.
In the US city of Lincoln, Nebraska, natural gas buses are now roving the streets (with video). 1011 reports the local transit company, StarTran, has five new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses. The company plans to add eight more CNG buses and 11 CNG handi-vans over the next two years. Over the 15-year lifetime of these vehicles, the city expects to save about $1.3 million in lower fuel costs and reduced maintenance. In addition, natural gas produces 25% less greenhouse gas emissions than diesel fuel. The buses cost $484,000 each, with an additional cost of about $35,000 for the CNG fuel system. StarTran Transit expects the additional investment in the CNG systems to be recovered over six years.
The Finnish Transport Agency will have a LNG icebreaker says NGV Global News. The duel fuel vessel can run on liquified natural gas or low sulphur diesel. When launched in late 2015, it will reportedly be the first liquified natural gas-powered icebreaker in the world. By enabling LNG to be used as the engine fuel, both exhaust emissions and fuel costs will be notably reduced. The vessel will operate all year round in the Baltic Sea.
The Dutch company Royal N.V. Texels Eigen Stoomboot Onderneming, located on the island of Texel, at the north of The Netherlands will operate a bi-fuel ferry. The ferry will operate on LNG and diesel. Named Texelstroom, it will transport up to 1,750 persons and 350 vehicles between the port of Den Helder and the island of Texel.
AGL Energy will roll out compressed natural gas refuelling stations across the east coast of Australia we learn from GAS TODAY. The new public and on-site refueling stations for trucks and passenger vehicles will be located in key geographical areas, enabling fleets to refuel without altering their routes. The stations will be located in the states of Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia. AGL will initially build six public refueling stations in the next two years. There is also a public site already operational in Moorebank, New South Wales.
Now that Ford is building F-150 pickup trucks powered by CNG, we have reviews of the vehicles here and here.
If you live in the US state of California you can get $1000 rebate from the state for the purchase of the Honda Civic CNG vehicle. Green Car reports advises the rebate is only available until April 2015. Another perk to get consumers to purchase this car is that owners will get access to the state’s high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) or “carpool” lanes even with a sole occupant. California has more natural-gas fueling stations in the US than any other state, with more than 150 to date.
Atmos Energy Corporation, a large natural gas-only distributor in the US, has added a total of 67 Ford F-150 and Ford F-250 natural gas vehicles to its fleet.
NGV Global News reports the US state of New York will fund the construction of 12 CNG refuelng stations. The New York State Compressed Natural Gas )Infrastructure Program is making avaiable $3.5 million to private sector firms to build these public stations in the state.