Ford's Eco Efforts improve fuel economy

2.2 million pounds of rubber from 210,000 used tires have been utilized in the making of seals and gaskets.  1,675 tons of total weight has been removed from Ford vehicles on the road as a result of modifications to improve fuel efficiency.  3 million pounds of annual petroleum consumption has been reduced in large part to the use of biomaterials in Ford vehicles.  4.1 million pounds of recycled carpet has been recovered through the use of EcoLon material in head covers.  All of these technological advanced have been utilized with the arrival of the 2013 Ford C-Max with its progressively powered hybrid with an advanced lithium-ion battery system that effectively enhances fuel economy.  The five passenger, multi-activity vehicle also offers interior versatility with a fold-flat second-row seat and a hands-free lift gate.

The C-MAX Hybrid powertrain system combines an efficient gasoline engine and a lithium-ion battery-driven electric motor designed for performance and fuel economy. Highlights of this green vehicle include: the 2.0L Atkinson-cycle I-4 gasoline engine that works with an electric traction motor with an advanced lithium-ion battery system.  The regenerative braking system captures 90% of braking energy otherwise lost to heat and sends it back to the battery.  This explains how the fuel economy in the city during stop and go traffic is better than the highway fuel economy.  The electronic Controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT) also does wonders with the fuel economy, providing better fuel economy with the automatic transmission than the manual transmission.  Visit Gresham Ford Fleet for more information about available packages and to place your order.  

During the final days of 2008 Ford began the discussion about expanding their line of alternative fuel vehicles.  Having successfully delivered hybrid variations of the Fusion and Escape Ford now had the technology and background to take the next logical step to an all electric vehicle.  The Focus Electric instrument panel looks cool, but the car's true technology bragging point is the active-liquid cooled lithium ion battery.  Because extreme temperatures affect battery life, a new system was designed to keep the batteries at just the right level.  On hot days, the chilled water absorbs heat from the battery and on cold days the heated water raises the battery temperature.  

Compelling Case for Natural Gas Vehicles

Stephen C. Yborra, Director of Market Analysis, Education & Communications from the Clean Vehicle Education Foundation based in Acworth, GA www.cleanvehicle.org is also the Director of Market Development CNGVAmerica – Washington, DC www.ngvamerica.org provided immense information to those who attended the recent Compelling Case for Natural Gas Vehicles Workshop in Portland.  Alternative Fuel Conversions has been a hot button for Fleet Managers who are struggling to meet budget constraints while keeping the environment impact of their fleet in mind.  

Mr. Yborra's presentation can be accessed on the CleanVehicle.org website by clicking here

More Information about the Columbia Willamette Clean Cities Foundation can be accessed by clicking here.  

BAF Technologies have a number of solutions and are an active Quality Vehicle Modifier for Ford Motor Company, which means that your factory warranty is maintained even after your Alternative Fuel Conversion.  Click here to see their presentation on the Compelling Gas for Natural Gas Vehicles.  

USEFUL LINKS and CONTACTS:

US Department of Energy Clean Cities Program  http://www1.eere.energy.gov/cleancities/

·         Columbia-Willamette Clean Cities Coalition http://www.cwcleancities.org
Rick Wallace – 503-378-3265 or rick.wallace@state.or.us
Julie Peacock – 503-373-2125 or Julie.peacock@state.or.us

·         Western Washington Clean Cities http://www.wwcleancities.org
Stephanie Meyn - 206-689-4055 or StephanieM@pscleanair.org

·         Rogue Valley Clean Cities Coalition http://www.roguevalleycleancities.org
Sue Kupillas - 541-245-0770 or ASK@opusnet.com

For workshop attendees from outside the Region, you may find your closest Clean Cities organization here:
http://www.afdc.energy.gov/cleancities/progs/coalition_locations.php

US DOE Clean Cities – Alternative Fuels Data Center http://www.afdc.energy.gov/afdc/

(site of station locator, many useful tools and information about state laws, incentives, programs)

US EPA – Region 10 (serving Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska_:  http://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/region10.html US EPA manages grant funding available through Supplemental Environmental Projects as well as the Diesel Emissions Reduction Program (DERA). DERA programs in the west coast (US EPA Regions 9 and 10) coordinate closely in managing the West Coast Collaborativehttp://westcoastcollaborative.org/contact.htm. DERA funding covers several natural gas options including covering some of the cost of repowering an existing diesel vehicle with cleaner engine (think “natural gas engine”) and/or replacing an older higher emission diesel vehicle early with a cleaner vehicle in the same duty cycle (again, think natural gas-powered vehicle). The EPA program co-leads for region 9 and 10 are listed below as is the primary contact for trucking programs within the Collaborative.

US EPA contacts: 
US EPA – Region 10 contacts re DERA and SEP funding: 
EPA Region 10 Co-Lead - Dan Brown  - 503-326-6832 brown.dan@epa.gov
EPA Region 9 Co-Lead - Penny McDaniel - 415-947-4203 - mcdaniel.penelope@epa.gov
Trucking Sector  - Trina Martynowicz - 415-972-3474 –  martynowicz.trina@epa.gov

Oregon Department of Energy

In addition to Rick Wallace and Julie Peacock, above, Evan Elias – BETC Technical Lead, ODOE, is a source of additional information regarding available Oregon grants and incentives
Evan Elias – BETC Technical Lead -503.378.6044 or evan.m.elias@state.or.us

Oregon Department of Environmental Quality – Office of Air Quality http://www.oregon.gov/DEQ/AQ/pages/index.aspx Main Tel #: 503-229-5696
Oregon Clean Diesel Initiative (includes technical assistance): Kevin Downing – 503-229-6549 or Downing.kevin@deq.state.or.us
Financial Incentives: Sue Langston - 503-229-5215 or langston.sue@deq.state.or.us

Available EPA- and CARB-certified and/or “listed” and verified vehicles/ Engines:The following NGVAmerica link lists retrofit systems for light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles/engines.http://www.ngvamerica.org/forfleets/available_vehicles.html

The US EPA web site link below describes the guidelines behind their rulings about emissions requirements of vehicle/engine retrofit (conversion) systems and which certificates or listings are needed depending on age of vehicle, mileage on vehicle and size of vehicle.  This site also includes a link to the actual vehicle certificates although the NGVAmerica link above is more user friendly.  It is extremely important that you cross reference your vehicle engine family against the certificate applicable to the retrofit system (see listing instructions to determine how to find this alpha-numeric code on your vehicle). http://www.epa.gov/otaq/consumer/fuels/altfuels/altfuels.htm#4

CVEF CNG Cylinder Safety, Training & Inspection http://www.cleanvehicle.org/technology/cylinder.shtml

Remember, all CNG cylinders have a useful life that is printed right on the label on the cylinder.  After this date, which may be up 15-25 years after the date of manufacture, you MAY NOT CONTINUE TO USE THAT cylinder and MUST REMOVE IT FROM SERVICE. Most cylinders manufactured today are designed to the 15- or 20-year standard.  DO NOT EXCEED THIS DATE.  If purchasing a used CNG vehicle or having your vehicle retrofitted/converted and the shop suggests using a used CNG cylinder, make sure that you have the cylinders inspected by a qualified or certified CNG cylinder inspector. They will determine if the cylinders are still within their allowable service life and whether any of the cylinders have condition issues that would warrant removing it from service ahead of that Remove From Service date. Inspectors are trained to evaluate the condition of your cylinder and associated mounting hardware. In addition, ALL CNG cylinders must be inspected every 36,000 miles or 36 months (whichever comes first) and in the event of ANY accident. The link above will provide more information about where to find a CNG cylinder inspector.  THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS RE-CERTIFICATION OF A CYLINDER THAT HAS REACHED ITS EXPIRATION DATE.

Equipment & Services Sponsors

ANGI Energy Systems, http://www.angienergy.com, Frank Perry, 608-868-4626,  fperry@angienergy.com  
BAF Technologies, http.www.baftechnologies.com, Robert Sessa, 949-303-6793, rsessa@baftechnologies.com
Clean Energy, http://www.cleanenergyfuels.com, Steve McCarthy 562-335-9783, smccarthy@cleanenergyfuels.com  
Cummins Westport Inc., http://www.cumminswestport.com/about-us, Jerry Johnson, 303-396-9821,
Eco Dual, LLC, http://www.ecodualgroup.com. Alan Nielson, 801-815-2971, alan.nielson@ecodual.com,
General Motors, http://www.gmfleet.com/fleet/finddealer/fleetAccountExecutives.jsp, Andrew Reyntjes, 313-665-4546,andrew.w.reyntjes@gm.com
McCoy Freightliner, http://www.mccoyftl.com, Brian Trice, 503-688-0989 or briantrice@pdxftl.com
NW Natural, https://www.nwnatural.com, Larry Walker, 503-220-2381 or  ljw@nwnatural.com
VNG.CO, http://vng.co/, Bill Mitchell, 610-709-5503, bmitchell@vng.co
Westport LD,  http://www.westport-ld.com, http://www.wingpowersystem.com , Patrick Walsh, 248-686-8220, pwalsh@westport-ld.com
World CNG, http://www.worldcng.com, Peter Proehl, 206-938-7812 or peter.proehl@worldcng.com