While the recent US legislation is certain to have a positive impact on growth of the Canadian NGV market, CNGVA is spearheading a number of successful NGV initiatives of its own. MacDonald review his organization’s role in securing and implementing Natural Resources Canada’s NGV grant program, steps they’re taking to help US vehicle manufacturers expand their product offerings in Canada and how they’re facilitating US-Canadian certification procedures.

California continues to lead the nation in advancing clean air and clean transportation policies, thanks to the perseverance of the state’s Air Resources Board (ARB) and various Air Quality Management/Air Pollution Control Districts with support from the CNGVC and other interested industry stakeholders. Eaves reviews California’s latest regulatory developments and court rulings and their potential impact in California and the rest of the nation.

As America’s electric utilities increasingly turn to clean-burning natural gas to meet their power generation and environmental compliance needs and other policies delay gas industry exploration in key prospective areas, some are concerned some about the long-term impact on natural gas supplies and pricing. McGill provides an informative look at current and projected natural gas supplies, highlighting the geological, economic and political factors at play. He’s optimistic about the industry’s ability to meet demand and notes that while pricing will likely reflect the more competitive energy marketplace, natural gas will still enjoy a relative cost advantage over petroleum fuels.

To plan effective strategies for the future, it’s helpful to assess the current market position. In this fast-paced overview, Pirraglia and Yborra provide a snapshot of the current NGV market, summarizing key niche segments, covering market penetration figures, trends and drivers as well as segment-specific opportunities and challenges.

A recently released TIAX study compares life-cycle-costs of 2010 heavy-duty diesel and natural gas powered technologies in the transit, refuse and short-haul sectors concluding that the average annual life-cycle costs for 2010 heavy-duty natural gas vehicles is highly competitive with diesel vehicles in the same application. For each of the three applications analyzed, the comprehensive study factors in projected engine and related emission system costs, vehicle chassis purchase costs, and fuel, maintenance and other operating costs.

Taking a wider global view of technological possibilities for different world markets could expand the potential to achieve long-term sustainability for NGVs. Looking on a worldwide basis, Seisler identifies opportunities for expanded use of natural gas vehicle technologies that are being used in some parts of the world but not others. Additionally, opportunities to integrate various markets – for factory-built vehicles and other technologies – are explored.

This moderated panel discussion explores the past, present and future role of government policy in facilitating market penetration of NGVs and other technologies that improve air quality and reduce petroleum dependence. Topics discussed include the roles of federal, state and local agencies; use of mandates and incentives and the long-term impact on market penetration; and local/regional flexibility in designing and implementing policy.

Conceptually, heavy-duty hybrid drive technologies offer promising benefits in applications with frequent stop-and-go duty-cycles such as transit and refuse vehicles: fuel savings from the capture, storage and reuse of kinetic energy, lower emissions and quieter operation. While diesel-electric heavy-duty hybrids seem to garner the greatest attention, several natural gas-electric hybrid fleets are already in service and new concepts and prototypes including natural gas-hydraulic hybrids are in development. Boesel urges NGV proponents to embrace the burgeoning heavy-duty hybrid market and focus on the added value that natural gas prime movers bring to the hybrid-drive concept.

NGV technologies are well positioned to serve as stepping-stones in the commercialization of hydrogen-based transportation technologies in the coming decades. Increasing use of NGVs will enhance public familiarity with gaseous fuel vehicle technology and, with a fuel content of nearly 80% hydrogen, natural gas and NGV fueling stations will likely play a leading role in development of a hydrogen fueling infrastructure. But the pathway is a long one with numerous technical hurdles along the way. Berry provides a quick review of ongoing RDD&D involving natural gas-hydrogen engine, fueling station and other related vehicle technologies.

CVEF’s and NGVC’s leaders share the framework of a strategy the two organizations plan implement to increase deployment of light-, medium- and heavy-duty natural gas vehicles in the public and private sectors. The realigned roles and structures of the two organizations also is discussed. Conference attendees voice their views and provide constructive input in the facilitated roundtable and audience Q&A session that follows.

Like all NGV proponents, Munger welcomes the availability of new and enhanced incentives and leverages the “mandate” card in her sales and marketing efforts where applicable. Just as important yet sometimes forgotten, she suggests, is the importance of selling “value.” She offers insights about her success in using NGV attributes such as advanced transportation technology, “green” positioning, American fuel and community leadership in marketing NGVs to public and private fleet prospects.

First impressions are often the most important in today’s hurried business environment. While few “sales” are ever closed on the first call, information presented at this point can set the stage for further discussion. In this fast-paced and info-packed session, our panel of presenters have a total of 10 minutes each to “make the case” for NGVs in their respective niche application. Market segments: taxi, refuse, forklift and metro commuter.

Forklift Market -
Tim Sanford, Vice President of Sales, FuelMaker Corporation
Taxi-Shuttle Market
Doug Cameron, Regional Manager, Northern California, Clean Energy Fuels Corporation
Refuse Market
Gord Exel, Vice President of Sales, Cummins Westport Inc.
Metro Commuter Market
Stephen Ellis, Manager, AFV Sales & Marketing, American Honda Motor Co., Inc

Turning Waste Into Transportation Energy: The Swedish Experience
Lena Sommestad - Minister of Environment, The Swedish Government

The Swedes have successfully made use of biogas in the transportation sector, and, in so doing, helped address some of their solid waste management challenges. Ms. Sommestad explains how her government’s public-private initiatives to incorporate renewable methane into Sweden’s natural gas vehicle fueling infrastructure serves her nation’s energy strategy while reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

As founding principal of the respected energy consulting practice Barakat, Howard and Chamberlin, and subsequently, in senior executive positions at natural gas transmission companies, Howard has used his strong business planning and team building skills to help companies successfully navigate the turbulent waters of an energy industry going through transition. Howard envisions a great future for NGVs, calling upon our industry to investigate all options, use all resources and set goals that inspire the best from stakeholders to achieve success.