Canada’s Natural Gas Vehicle (NGV) Industry and the Government of Canada release new vehicle deployment roadmap.

The Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA) recently released a new report titled Natural Gas Use in the Medium and Heavy-Duty Transportation Sector, which builds on observations and recommendations of a 2010 report, Natural Gas Use in the Transportation Sector.

The revised report contains updated information on natural gas supply, including a section on renewable natural gas (RNG), information on technical developments as well as codes and standard developments, and examples of significant fleet successes to date.

“Continued industry and government collaboration – as exemplified by this report – is a key attribute that will advantage Canada in attaining cost and emissions reductions. NGVs are key in assisting Canada to meet its immediate and long-term emissions reduction objectives. Canada’s NGV industry is poised and ready to be part of global efforts to lower emissions while keeping transportation affordable,” said Bruce Winchester, Executive Director, Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance.

Some of the report observations are:

• Natural gas as a transportation fuel offers significant emission reduction benefits, with up to 25% GHG emissions reduction potential depending on the vehicle and fuelling system being used. The emergence of renewable natural gas (RNG) provides an added emission reduction benefits for the transportation industry.
• Significant use of NGVs by refuse, transit, and trucking firms show the market is ready and provides potential cost and emissions’ savings.
• Natural gas costs remain stable, and high fuel usage fleets can benefit from cost savings. Regulatory measures also favour emissions’ reductions associated with NGVs.
• An abundant supply of geological natural gas and the growing supply of RNG point to continued price stability and enhanced life-cycle emission reductions.
• Extensive Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) engine offerings for the on-road market are being used by Canadian transportation fleets.
• More industry and government support are needed to help fleets defray risks, including:
  • Up-front vehicle cost premiums;
  • Greater access to refuelling facilities to improve reach in the transportation sector;
  • Maintenance facility upgrades for both fleets and vendors;
  • Capital investment to enable production, processing, blending and connecting RNG supply to existing pipelines;
  • Stronger outreach tuned to the needs and concerns of various fleet users; and
  • Investments in R&D efforts, including collaborative partnerships with all levels of government, other countries, and research institutions.

“This roadmap is an important tool for Canadians and industry to have more choices when it comes to transportation. Our government is working with partners to provide more options to get products and people where they need to go while reducing pollution and growing our economy,” said The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources.

George Lidgett, Managing Director, ATCO Pipelines & Liquids Global Business Unit, adds, “Natural gas is green, abundant and affordable and provides a solution for medium and heavy-duty fleets to reduce emissions. The Roadmap demonstrates one of the many ways in which Canada’s natural gas resources play a meaningful role in the transition to a more sustainable and low-emissions future.”

The revised Deployment Roadmap helps prospective fleet adopters understand the opportunities that NGVs offer. The report is a starting point for a renewed industry-government effort to support deployment, cost, and emissions savings for Canadian fleets.