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Among the issues on the agenda for the conference, which
will be held in Rome from June 8 to June 10, is the increase in
OEM vehicle and engine manufacturer participation. More than
200 vehicles and natural gas powered models are now available
worldwide, with one new model emerging each week on average.
More than seventy oral presentations, plus a number of poster
presentations, will feature on the two and a half day program
covering issues such as biomethane (renewable natural gas),
standards harmonization, integration of CNG cylinders into OEM
platforms, marketing initiatives, emerging technologies, plus
national and regional market reviews.
“Until now, natural gas has been ‘the quiet achiever’. It has
proven itself as a transport fuel on a sizeable scale
Natural Gas Vehicles –
creating a transport
revolution By: Jon Knox
“Creating a Transport Revolution” is the theme for the twelfth biennial conference of the
International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles (IANGV).
“
The automotive and
transport sector is currently
undergoing unprecedented
and exciting change
worldwide. Environmental,
economic and energy factors
have resulted in a global
quest for alternatives to diesel
and petrol to fuel our vehicles.
with more than 11 million vehicles in over 81 countries
throughout the world,” says Brett Jarman, executive director
of IANGV. “Fuel alternative vehicles are currently undergoing a
revolution – in some countries earning market share that positions
natural gas alongside petrol and diesel as a ‘mainstream’ fuel.”
The IANGV is keenly aware that for the NGV industry to be
commercially viable there needs to be a high level of participation
by OEMs. At its first exhibition held in Sydney in 1988, no OEMs
showcased any products – today, industry exhibitions attract all
types of vehicles from cars and three wheelers to heavy trucks and
buses that run on natural gas.
“Environmental, economic and energy factors have resulted in a
global quest for alternatives to diesel and petrol to fuel our vehicles,”
explains Jarman. “While the alternatives are many, few can equal
the promise shown by natural gas – it’s clean, safe, reliable,
versatile, affordable, readily available and even renewable.”
Jarman recently took over the management of the
association from the founding secretary-general, Garth
Harris. Automotive Industries (AI) asked him what he sees
in the future of the association.
Jarman: Dynamic, progressive and growing in size and stature
– a reflection of the industry. Right now, the industry is like a runaway
train. Even the global economic circumstances of last year couldn’t
stop it – with NGV numbers growing by more than 10%.
AI: Are NGVs getting the support they need from the
worldwide political leaders and policy makers?
Jarman: It’s a mixed bag. In some cases the support is
outstanding, in others the support is well intentioned but not
necessarily effective, and in others still, it’s non-existent.
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While the alternatives
are many, few can equal
the promise shown by
natural gas – it’s clean,
safe, reliable, versatile,
affordable, readily available
and even renewable.
”
Brett Jarman, executive director
of IANGV. LEFT: Fuelling a Mercedes
B Class NGT (Natural Gas Technology)
with biomethane.
One of the main challenges is getting policy makers to
understand that NGVs are a ‘here and now’ solution to a number
of issues – greenhouse gas and air pollution reductions, enhanced
energy security, foreign exchange savings and more.
AI: How are NGVs doing relative to other alternative fuel
vehicles such as ethanol vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and
hydrogen fuel cells?
Jarman: If I had a scorecard, I would say that natural gas is
doing better than other alternatives simply because of the vast
range of applications it is proving itself in. Included among the 11
million NGVs on the road are motorcycles, three wheelers, forklifts,
cars, trucks, buses, tractors, airport tugs, ice re-surfacers, refuse
trucks, drayage trucks, rail locomotives, and even 150 ton ‘road
trains’ in Australia.
We can add to that number the growing number of
ferries, fishing boats, cargo ships and other marine vessels.