Natural Gas Truck Markets, Footprint Expanding
3/10/2010 10:00:00 PM
Panelists at CALSTART/NTEA's Green Truck Summit also noted that as natural gas and hybrid systems mature, a logical next development and demonstration step would be to combine the systems, greatly multiplying carbon and emissions reductions and operational savings...
The market "footprint" of natural gas as a transportation fuel for
medium- and heavy-duty trucks is expanding, according to a panel of
industry experts convened at the CALSTART/NTEA Green Truck Summit in
St. Louis. Andy Douglas, National Sales Manager for Kenworth's
specialty markets, said Kenworth is committed to its natural gas
products and that the market is now more than just California and the
West Coast, but encompasses Texas, the East Coast and elsewhere. All
major truck makers have now added natural gas options, and are focused
on heavy vocational and heavy regional haul applications. Patric
Ouellette, Chief Technology Officer of Westport Innovations,
noted a distinct upswing in natural gas engine demand since 2005,
driven by energy security and climate concerns and greatly improved
incentives. Bill Zobel, Vice President of Business Development for
infrastructure provider Trillium USA
said that the addition of gas producers to the natural gas vehicle
coalition had strengthened policy efforts, and that having consistent
public policy in energy was crucial. Panelists also noted that as
natural gas and hybrid systems mature, a logical next development and
demonstration step would be to combine the systems, greatly multiplying
carbon and emissions reductions and operational savings.