Clean Energy’s BAF Subsidiary Receives Second 463-CNG-Vehicle Conversion Order from AT&T for 2010
21 December 2009
| AT&T natural gas service van. Click to enlarge. |
AT&T has awarded to BAF Technologies, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp., an order to convert 463 Ford E-250 vans to run on compressed natural gas (CNG) to be fulfilled during the second quarter of 2010. (BAF was acquired by Clean Energy in October 2009.)
The new order is in addition to a 463-unit order from AT&T for vehicles to be delivered during the first quarter of 2010. (Earlier post.) Additionally, although no formal order has been made, AT&T has requested that BAF procure on AT&T’s behalf CNG cylinders for 463 additional conversions to be completed in the third quarter of 2010.
The conversions are part of AT&T’s plan to invest up to $565 million to deploy more than 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles over the next 10 years. AT&T expects to spend an estimated $350 million to purchase about 8,000 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles and approximately $215 million to begin replacing its passenger cars with alternative-fuel models, beginning with hybrids. (Earlier post.)
Through BAF, AT&T is planning to convert a total of 1,850 vans in 2010, and is exploring additional vehicle conversions of other vehicle types, including Ford F-Series trucks. BAF anticipates completing the 600 van conversions awarded by AT&T to BAF during 2009 by year end.
BAF also announced that the Ford E-250/350 Van has been successfully crash-tested to meet the FMVSS 303 (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard). Additionally, Ford has approved the engine system for these vehicles converted by BAF and noted that Ford’s warranty covers everything in the vehicle as with any standard Ford vehicle.
The converted vehicles utilize the BAF CalComp System, a proprietary CNG fuel system certified by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the California Air Resources Board (ARB). The CalComp system is fully integrated into the OEM powertrain control system. The entire gasoline system is removed and replaced with CNG storage tank(s), HP plumbing, a CNG regulator, and new CNG injectors. Control of all CNG components, including the original dash-mounted fuel gauge, is done using the OEM vehicle computer which BAF reprograms to optimize CNG performance.
In an E-350 van, the CalComp system is integrated with the 5.4L V8 Triton engine. The van, which is certified to the ARB SULEV standard, has a standard fuel capacity of 20.0 GGE and has a limited warranty of 3 years/50,000 miles.
I would like to know the cost/benefit of this...is AT&T doing it so they can call themselves "green" or is there real economic payback.
Regardless, CNG vehicles should be empasized by the US, we are currently aprox. 85% self sufficient in natural gas and what we import, largely comes from Canada by pipeline.
Posted by: nordic | 21 December 2009 at 10:18 AM
Natural gas sells for 50 cents per therm on the wholesale market. AT&T can get a contract to buy NG at about $1 per gasoline gallon equivalent (GGE). This goes right to the bottom line compared with $3 per gallon gasoline.
Posted by: SJC | 21 December 2009 at 10:23 AM
Are diesel ignited engines, with compression reduction via head shimming a better fit or do these gasoline versions have variable compresssion system and a better option CPU.
Sydney bus fleet are (originally) converted diesels, nowadays they buy OE NG ready by the hundreds.
Posted by: arnold | 21 December 2009 at 12:10 PM
NG has 130 octane, so a gasoline engine needs higher compression and/or forced air induction to get more out of the fuel. Diesels can use 70% NG and 30% diesel to get the lubrication in the fuel that they need and reduce particulate emissions significantly.
Posted by: SJC | 21 December 2009 at 12:42 PM
Nordic,
I would like to know how much taxpayer money ATT may be getting to promote their green image. I hope that the fuel cost savings and fuel tax avoidance (if any, not sure how the government handles this) are enough to be free standing.
Arnold,
NG fired Caterpillar engines all use spark ignition. I think this is the industry standard.
Posted by: Tim Duncan | 22 December 2009 at 05:23 PM