Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Go Natural converts an F150 to Bi-Fuel CNG in just 2 hours and 15 minutes
Woods Cross, Utah - Go Natural CNG manufactures the least invasive, easiest and quickest to install CNG conversion kits on the market. Lucas Kjar, the President of Go Natural, knew that this statement was true. The challenge was developing a way to convince potentially customers. That’s when he came up with the idea of converting a vehicle in front of an audience.
During the recent Green Fleet Conference & Expo in Schaumburg, IL, Go Natural conducted a live demonstration in front of approximately 850 attendees. Typical vehicle conversions with other kits take three or four days to complete. However, with a Go Natural conversion kit and two technicians working together, a 2010 5.4L F150 XLT pick-up truck was converted to run on CNG and gasoline (bi-fuel) in just under 2 hours and 15 minutes. The use of an ultra-lightweight carbon composite tank from Quantum Technologies contributed to the record breaking speed of this conversion. Show management and attendees commented that this demonstration was the highlight of the show that is billed as the largest gathering of fleet professionals that are interested in improving efficiencies.
For over 20 years the Go Natural team had installed conversion kits that were manufactured by all the largest volume suppliers. When it came time to make their own kits, all of this hands-on experience really paid off. Go Natural conversion kits are faster to install for four primary reasons:
1- Bi-Fuel Rails and cups - Instead of drilling holes into the factory intake for the CNG injectors, Go Natural developed a patented fuel rail and dual injector cup system that installs into the factory injector ports.
2- Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness - Instead of splicing up to 35 wires, Go Natural developed a CNG wiring harness that simply snaps into the factory wiring harness.
3- CNG Hoses – Instead of bending, cutting, flaring and installing fittings on stainless steel lines, Go Natural manufactures and utilizes CSA certified CNG hoses.
4- Fuel Interface Module (FIM) – Instead of mounting and plumbing the check valve, CNG filter, ¼ turn valve, pressure gauge, transducer and other components along the frame rail, Go Natural combines all of these components in one patented and easy to mount FIM unit. The design also reduces potential leak points by more than 50%.
About Go Natural: Go Natural CNG specializes in the creation and distribution of CNG vehicle conversion kits, CNG hoses and hydraulic natural gas compressors for fueling stations. The company is an EPA certified small volume manufacturer (SVM). Go Natural’s conversion systems work with the factory powertrain control modules to optimize power and drivability while minimizing emissions. All OEM diagnostic and scan tool capabilities are retained. For more information call 801-281-4766 or visit www.gonaturalcng.com.
Photos courtesy of Lauren Fletcher.
Media Contact: Jack Falkenrath, 801-281-4766, jfalkenrath@gonaturalcng.com
During the recent Green Fleet Conference & Expo in Schaumburg, IL, Go Natural conducted a live demonstration in front of approximately 850 attendees. Typical vehicle conversions with other kits take three or four days to complete. However, with a Go Natural conversion kit and two technicians working together, a 2010 5.4L F150 XLT pick-up truck was converted to run on CNG and gasoline (bi-fuel) in just under 2 hours and 15 minutes. The use of an ultra-lightweight carbon composite tank from Quantum Technologies contributed to the record breaking speed of this conversion. Show management and attendees commented that this demonstration was the highlight of the show that is billed as the largest gathering of fleet professionals that are interested in improving efficiencies.
For over 20 years the Go Natural team had installed conversion kits that were manufactured by all the largest volume suppliers. When it came time to make their own kits, all of this hands-on experience really paid off. Go Natural conversion kits are faster to install for four primary reasons:
1- Bi-Fuel Rails and cups - Instead of drilling holes into the factory intake for the CNG injectors, Go Natural developed a patented fuel rail and dual injector cup system that installs into the factory injector ports.
2- Plug-and-Play Wiring Harness - Instead of splicing up to 35 wires, Go Natural developed a CNG wiring harness that simply snaps into the factory wiring harness.
3- CNG Hoses – Instead of bending, cutting, flaring and installing fittings on stainless steel lines, Go Natural manufactures and utilizes CSA certified CNG hoses.
4- Fuel Interface Module (FIM) – Instead of mounting and plumbing the check valve, CNG filter, ¼ turn valve, pressure gauge, transducer and other components along the frame rail, Go Natural combines all of these components in one patented and easy to mount FIM unit. The design also reduces potential leak points by more than 50%.
About Go Natural: Go Natural CNG specializes in the creation and distribution of CNG vehicle conversion kits, CNG hoses and hydraulic natural gas compressors for fueling stations. The company is an EPA certified small volume manufacturer (SVM). Go Natural’s conversion systems work with the factory powertrain control modules to optimize power and drivability while minimizing emissions. All OEM diagnostic and scan tool capabilities are retained. For more information call 801-281-4766 or visit www.gonaturalcng.com.
Photos courtesy of Lauren Fletcher.
Media Contact: Jack Falkenrath, 801-281-4766, jfalkenrath@gonaturalcng.com
October 2012 Question of the Month
Question of the Month:
What strategies are used to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and improve overall transportation system efficiency?
Answer:
VMT
is a measure used in the transportation planning community and
elsewhere to report the number of miles that motor vehicles are driven
on the road. It is a representation
of how much fuel a transportation system uses, the resources necessary
to build and maintain that system, and the amount of time the regions’
inhabitants are spending on the road.
While
the focus of Clean Cities is vehicle technology and alternative fuel
use, many coalitions also work in their communities to reduce
VMT and improve overall transportation system efficiency. Increasing
efficiency through transportation demand management can help achieve
local and nationwide goals for transportation (reduced congestion),
energy (decreased petroleum use), and the environment
(reduced emissions). Fleets can also benefit from strategies to reduce
VMT through cost and time savings.
Transportation
planners, vehicle fleet managers, and corporate decision makers can all
play a role in transportation demand management. Strategies
for reducing VMT include:
·
Ridesharing: Encourage people to share vehicles and commute
together through employee rideshare, ridematching systems, and car sharing programs.
·
Mass Transit:
Develop, improve, or increase ridership on buses, bus rapid transit, trolleys, rail, and ferry systems.
·
Active Transit:
Eliminate
vehicle use by supporting strategies that encourage biking and walking,
including infrastructure development (e.g., bike lanes, sidewalks) and
bike share programs.
·
Multi-Modal Transportation:
Develop resources and infrastructure
to enable commuters to split up their trip into multiple modes,
including ridesharing, mass transit, and active transit (e.g., online
trip planners, park-and ride lots).
·
Telework:
Implement
flexible work arrangements where employees can work from home
(telecommute) or attend meetings from their computer (teleconference).
·
Route-Planning Software:
Utilize
tools that allow fleets, particularly delivery and pick-up services, to plan and follow the most direct route.
For more information on these strategies, visit the Alternative Fuels Data Center’s Transportation System Efficiency page (www.afdc.energy.gov/conserve/
- U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), Federal Transit Administration:
www.fta.dot.gov/
- FTA is the federal agency responsible for providing financial and technical assistance to public transit systems. The FTA website includes grant opportunities for transit agencies, information about relevant legislation and laws, and news about transit improvements around the country.
- Partnership for Sustainable Communities:
www.sustainablecommunities.
gov/ - This partnership between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, DOT, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency aims to increase transportation options and lower transportation costs, among other goals. Their website includes grant opportunities and case studies about successful community projects.
- DOT, Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Active Transportation and Demand Management (ATDM):
ops.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/
fhwahop12032/index.htm - FHWA’s ADTM program focuses on research and resource development related to active transportation and demand management approaches. The website currently includes an overview of strategies. Moving forward, ATDM will provide lessons learned, standards, and best practices.
- Transportation Research Board (TRB):
www.trb.org/
- TRB provides information exchange and coordinates research related to U.S. and international transportation systems.
- American Public Transportation Association (APTA):
www.publictransportation.org/
- APTA provides information and resources about the benefits of public transit, including fuel and carbon savings calculators.
Clean Cities Technical Response Service Team
800-254-6735
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