BAF Achieves California CARB Certification for 2012 MY
BAF, a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp., has received California Air Resources Board (CARB) executive orders (EO) for its CNG-powered 2012 Ford F-250 and F-350 pickups and E-250 and E-350 vans.
The CARB certification allows the vehicles to be sold and operated in 17 states that follow CARB rules. The CNG-powered BAF E-250/350 vans have been CARB-certified since 2007. The renewed CARB certification extends that history include the 2012 model year.
In addition, BAF has CARB certifications for the 2012 F-450/550/650 utility body, the F-53/59 commercial chassis, the E-450 shuttle, and the Ford Transit Connect. Each vehicle is also EPA certified.
EVI Targets Sales of 500 MD Electric Trucks
Electric Vehicles International (EVI) is launching a new initiative to deploy 500 fully electric return-to-base delivery trucks, replacing diesel trucks with zero-emission vehicles made in California.
EVI and UPS will deploy the first 100 zero-emission medium-duty delivery trucks early this year. California based EVI also offers a walk-in van, a proprietary light duty utility vehicle, and a medium duty hybrid truck chassis.
ALTe to Offer Plug-in Electric Hybrid Powertrain for Ford E-350
ALTe Powertrain Technologies (ALTe), announced it has successfully installed its powertrain system in the Ford Econoline E-350 platform. ALTe has already completed conversions in Ford F-150 trucks. The company began development on the Ford E-350 platform in late 2011 and is targeting a mid 2013 launch for the E series product.
Testing revealed that the prototype can operate approximately 25 miles in an all-electric mode and then deliver nearly 15 mpg in a charge-sustained mode. Combined fuel economy is estimated to be at least 30 mpg, compared to less than nine mpg achieved by a similar Ford E-350 cutaway chassis with a V-8 engine.
Luxury Hybrids from Lexus
Lexus added their hybrid powertrain to its midsized luxury offering with the 2013 ES 350 and ES 300h. The 300h is expected to earn an EPA fuel economy rating of approximately 40 mpg. EV mode in the 300h uses only the power from the hybrid battery pack. The ES 300h hybrid offers the driver four modes: Normal, Sport, Eco, and EV.
Peterbilt Expands Line Up of NGV Options
Peterbilt currently offers six natural gas vehicle solutions for OTR, heavy haul, regional, and vocational applications. Alternative-fuel options include both liquefied natural gas (LNG) and compressed natural gas (CNG) and LNG.
Two additional models recently presented were the Model 382 targeted for use in regional haul and vocational applications and Model 365 specified in a vocational application, mainly for the refuse market.
Current models include: Model 386, which has received the EPA’s SmartWay Designation, Model 367; Model 365; Model 382; traditionally styled Model 389; and the low-cab forward Model 320.
