Case Study: CNG Paratransit Vehicles

Posted on June 21, 2010

The Taxicab, Limousine & Paratransit Association (TLPA) determined in their 2009 report that “widespread use of alternative fuels is no longer the dream of the future but a reality that already works for some today and that may soon be ready to work for all in the taxicab industry.” With the implementation of new commercial fleet emission standards issued by President Obama in 2009 to take effect in 2012, automobile manufacturers will be under pressure to develop fleet vehicles that can withstand commercial demands and run efficiently on alternative fuels. Ideally, this trend will hasten the development of a reliable refueling alternative fuel network.

There are 120,000 compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles operating in the US, and most are privately owned fleet vehicles that have been converted. According to the International Association for Natural Gas Vehicles, CNG vehicles usage has grown 20.8 percent each year since 2000, and they have consistently exceeded the projected sales for each year, showing that this alternative to gasoline is gaining popularity at an exponential rate.

To meet the guidelines set for by the 1990 Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), CNG paratransit vehicles are beginning to hit the market, and companies like the Vehicle Production Group (VPG) of Florida are now manufacturing safe, comfortable taxis and fleet vehicles with 3 CNG tanks seamlessly integrated into the design. Called the MV-1, they will be available in October of 2010. VPG has received $160 million through Perseus LLC, including a $10 million investment from Clean Energy Corp, co-founded by T. Boone Pickens. Andrew Littlefair, the president and CEO of Clean Energy, said the strategic investment was sound because the “demand for natural gas vehicles is surging, particularly with the high cost of petroleum fuel and the savings to be gained by using natural gas fuel.”

The new line of Ford Transit Connect Taxis have integrated extra room so fleet vehicle owners can easily convert the paratransit vehicles to CNG tanks. In fact, Ford will provide factory calibration guidelines that — if followed correctly — allow CNG systems to be installed without voiding the original engine warranty. Ford also offers E-series vans with CNG prepped engines, and will release a similar option on the F-Series Super Duty trucks to be introduced in late 2010.

In May, Chevrolet announced it will offer CNG versions of their full-sized GMC Savana cutaway vans that will be released early in 2011. According to Brian Small, GM’s fleet and commercial operations manager, the “commitment to expand the CNG and LPG infrastructure in key fleet markets” is the result of requests from fleet customers and dealers who want paratransit vehicles that run on CNG. Groups like the California Natural Gas Vehicle Partnership (CNGVP) are pressuring legislators to institute state regulations for low-emission fleet vehicles. The EPA is planning to amend current regulations regarding CNG fuel conversions, which have not been updated since 1994. These new regulations will be aimed at streamlining fleet conversion procedures that should accelerate the availability of paratransit vehicles.

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