In the past few years, the number and type of vehicles that operate on Natural Gas has proliferated – so long as you don’t need that vehicle in the USA.
Here’s only a partial list:
Mercedes-Benz has NG powered B Series vehicles available in Europe and Canada, a B170 NGT and B180 NGT. Both models are bi-fuel, meaning they operate on either natural gas or gasoline. The B-Class 180NGT compact van has a range of 192 on natural gas, but can be switched to gasoline with the push of a button (while driving). The compact vehicle was displayed at the Washington, D.C. Auto Show in early 2009 and word is that Mercedes is considering US distribution, but it’s still not available stateside as of this post.
Also from Mercedes, the Econic NGT line of trucks is offered in Europe, where over 950 are on the road in municipal operations, distribution, and garbage collection. Sita (subsidiary company of Suez Lyonnaise des Eaux), a prviate-sector waste disposal company in Sweden has more than 70 of its 81 NGVs operating on biomethane derived from sewage sludge and landfill facilities. A tractor trailer Econic NGT model is operating in Germany.
In Greece, Econic NGTs are in use for garbage collection.
Since the Econic NGT vehicles can operate on biogas, their operation is virtually carbon neutral. The line meets the stringent EEV emission standard (Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle) which entitles the vehicles to bear a “Blue Angel” environmental seal and allows them to be driven in low-emission zones. For more info about the Blue Angel designation, click here
Want to know more about biomethane – or CNG from biogas? Click here
Volkswagen unveiled the natural gas Passat TSI EcoFuel at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show, and market launch followed in early 2009. The dual-fuel vehicle has an impressive theoretical range of up to about 558 miles with both its CNG and petrol tanks, though the gas tank serves only as a reserve. By itself, the natural gas supply is enough for a range of about 310 miles (or nearly 500km). The turbocharged vehicle boasts a top speed of 130 mph (210 km/h), offering sporty performance along with great fuel economy. Suzuki has NGVs available for Asia and the Pakistan markets. None of these passenger vehicles is offered in the US market.
Fiat Group Automobiles is a global leader in developing, building and marketing NGVs, selling more than 175,000 vehicles for years 2008 and 2009. They boast the widest range of duel fuel vehicles that use natural gas: Panda Natural Power, four-wheel-drive Panda Climbing Natural Power, Punto Natural Power, Multipla Natural Power, and Fiat Doblò Natural Power. All can run on gasoline or compressed natural gas (CNG) – or ‘methane,’ as Fiat calls CNG.
With Fiat’s purchase of Chrysler, does this mean that American car buyers will soon have more choices for an OEM NGV than Honda’s NGX? We can only hope so: Fiat’s extensive collaboration with fuel companies to establish CNG stations in Europe and Brazil could bode well for solving the lack of CNG infrastructure in the US, and make NGVs a popular option for US consumers who want to drive an alternative fuel vehicle. Stay tuned!
