With all the hoopla about high petroleum prices, crude hitting a new high and the economic impact virtually around the globe. Natural Gas Vehicles are seen as a
safe bet world wide. Many countries are promoting natural gas as their primary fuel, and others are promoting biofuels and natural gas as a combination to solve their
energy challenges. In the USA, so many people are worried about the use of alternative fuels with government credits that there are no credits available for vehicles
unless they are dedicated and run on the alternative fuel only, which makes the vehicles completely impractical in some areas with limited infrastructure.
There are over 10,000 natural gas vehicles in Arizona, there would be more if Bifuel vehicles had tax credits or other incentives, with absolutely no infrastructure in Arizona,
outside of the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas, unless the state helps build more rural stations, natural gas vehicle growth and as an alternative to our high energy costs impacting
our Arizona citizens are going to see little relief.
As an example of the great shift going on right now, many people are missing the change and its not really broadly publicized, but natural gas fuel for vehicles has a history of stability, but currently the bifuel Chevrolet Cavaliers being auctions by the GSA, these are the retired Federal Government vehicles, are selling above blue book at auction, and in many cases they
are selling at auction for more than the Federal government paid new for them. That is how high the demand is now for natural gas vehicles in America.
And these are the vehicles with the least amount of government assistance or incentives.
2 reasons affect this mostly- 1. The low cost of CNG in Utah has raised the demand for CNG vehicles, since Honda is the only company building a new CNG vehicle, with the high cost
of CNG conversions, for most people a used natural gas vehicle is the only alternative. 2. CNG is clean burning with a stable pipeline delivery with domestic production, it is 85% US fuel, with the rest from Mexico and Canada, mostly Canada where we have a very good relationship.
Natural Gas for vehicles is a clean, stable and abundant supply in the USA, as we add in the renewable factor from Land fill gas and Biogas dairy projects into the grid, we do have
an almost never ending supply which needs to be promoted more! There are currently around 100 Biogas projects across the USA, how many towns and cities in the USA have
landfills & dairies? A lot of untapped methane that could be utilized is escaping everyday. Let's use the wasted stuff first is my opinion.
We need more government help to get over everyone's start up costs, then the savings will keep it going on its own, we need our manufacturers to build new natural gas vehicles. It would probably be different if we could walk into any new car dealership and walk out with a finance package on a new NGV, but currently only on the Honda GX.
They talk about all the E-85 vehicles on the road and cite no infrastructure for CNG, but right now CNG still has more public stations than ethanol.
Ethanol is not a bad thing, but it should not raise our food costs. In the long run, especially for our rural areas, a bifuel Ethanol/CNG vehicle would be an ideal choice.
(That's one of our Chandler Arizona Customers in this FuelMaker Phill advertisement Photo!)
Please read this news release from NGV America on natural gas vehicles and conversions if you are thinking about getting into CNG vehicles, Its like a primer or CNG 101-
If you have anyone graduating in the coming week, congratulations!
If you are thinking about buying them or yourself a CNG car, I would suggest you hurry.
As CNG fuel prices have been stable, not so for the vehicles, the prices on used Natural Gas Vehicles have really been going through the roof. When the Unleaded
prices go up again from the recent crude spike it will only drive the demand more. What will it be like in 6 months or a year? NGV's may be like gold! I wouldn't wait,
and I'm sure glad we purchased ours several years ago.
Two Best Choices in Arizona For NGV's-
www.cngmotors.com Murphy is currently expecting around 35 cars to come in from around the U.S. he has purchased, I have purchased several vehicles from Murph and he will take care of you and stand behind what he sells. 602-331-7400 or murphy@cngmotors.com
San Tan Honda Superstore of Chandler, Jerry Polick, Arizona's AFV Honda Dealer, they stock the super clean Honda GX, it may be in shorter supply right now with the demand and getting close to time to bring in the 2009's. Call Jerry and he can let you know the schedule. Last time I talked to him he had one GX in stock and was expecting 2 more soon, before they get the 09's for October delivery. 602-622-9600 or jerry.polick@santanhonda.com
Check out the vehicles and conversions page on our website at www.cngaz.com for more conversion and vehicle sources
General Motors will produce new CNG engine for 2009 in Europe, Still No CNG Offerings For U.S. Market
In 2009, General Motors will introduce to market a new version of its Turbo 1.6 liter, 4 cylinder engine, powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) in its Opel Zafira models.
The car will be marketed throughout the European continent and also in other regions of the world. The 1.6 liter CNG Turbo will be a bifuel gasoline and natural gas engine.
The engine will generate 150 hp and an approximately torque of 155 lb-ft. Key features of the new version include a turbocharger integrated into the exhaust manifold, an intake manifold with a gasoline and CNG fuel rail, an oil cooler and piston cooling.
Sterling rolls out natural-gas tractor
Sterling Truck Corp. has launched its first natural gas-powered vehicle-a Sterling Set-Back 113 tractor equipped with a Cummins Westport ISL 6 powerplant. According to the OEM, the truck is ideal for port operations, as well as natural gas utilities and municipalities and can save up to $6,000 in annual fuel and operating costs per truck. Sterling noted that customers in states such as California will also benefit from tax incentives for alternative fuel vehicles. In addition, the OEM said fuel providers also take advantage of these incentives, which means that accessibility to natural gas fuel is on the rise. "Due to deterioration in air quality, the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach have embraced the use of alternative fuels in commercial vehicles," said Richard Shearing, manager of product strategy for Sterling. "At the same time, utility companies and municipalities throughout North America have shown increased interest in green transportation technology. "By introducing the Set-Back 113 with natural gas, we're giving our customers a hard-working truck that reduces both costs and environmental emissions." According to Sterling, the Cummins Westport ISL G, an 8.9 liter stoichiometric cooled-exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engine, offers the lowest emissions available in the industry without sacrificing top-level performance and efficiency. Available in ratings up to 320 hp, the ISL G already meets EPA '10 standards with 85%t lower NOx emissions than the C Gas Plus engine and it features the highest power-to-weight ratio in class with an optimized turbocharger, said Sterling. The ISL G also features a maintenance-free exhaust system with a three-way catalyst (TWC) and no further technology or aftertreatment will be required to meet the 2010 emissions standards. For more information, go to http://www.sterlingtrucks.com/Company/MediaRoom/PressReleases.asp?Id=737or call 800-785-4357.
Concerns about escalating costs of production and living from rising fuel costs has stimulated the release of a new loan package by the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Bank of Thailand. Bank president Pongsak Chewcharat said that his bank had launched hire-purchase loans for transportation and logistics businesses that plan to buy new vehicles propelled by natural gas for vehicles (NGV). These include buses, mini buses, vans, pickup trucks or passenger cars for the car-rental business. 7 year loans offered at 5% interest to help Thai economy and air quality.
Dave Clement making FuelMaker presentation at Tucson Clean Cities Meeting on Weds
Dave will be making a presentation on Fuelmaker fueling equipment for natural gas vehicles at the Tucson Regional Clean Cities coalition meeting on Weds, 2:00 PM at the Pima Association of Government building, 4th floor conference room. Being discussed will be Vehicle Refueling Appliances, the new Phill model in garage home refueling appliance and The Clean Connection, Honda FuelMaker discounts for Clean Cities Coalition members.
The Whitton Companies use natural gas for many of their plumbing trucks, pictured is their courier truck which utilizes the HOV lane to drive quickly and less expensively on natural gas between their 4 offices.
Drive Clean, Drive Cheap, Drive Natural Gas!
Dave Clement CNG Services of Arizona Authorized FuelMaker Dealer for Arizona Phone 480-461-5166 Cel. 480-789-1498 Fax 480-615-4338 www.CNGaz.com Specialists in Compressing Natural Gas into Clean Vehicle Fuel 439 N. Clement St. Mesa, Arizona 85201 Help Keep Arizona Skies Clean and Blue- Drive a Natural Gas Vehicle! ROC231066
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