Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/85423
(Continued from Page 18) logbook Partnership plans natural gas initiative Navistar Inc. and natural gas provider Clean Energy Fuels Corp. announced a plan to develop gas-powered medium-duty and heavy-duty trucks and a nationwide infrastructure to fuel them. The plan includes financial incentives to enable customers to see a quick return on a premium of about $35,000 for the new technology, largely due to the price spread between natural gas and diesel. "By the end of 2013, virtually every product we have will be available in natural gas," said Jim Hebe, Navistar senior vice president for North American sales. The Navistar-Clean Energy plan differs from other alternative fuel initiatives because it does not depend on government subsidies, said Daniel Ustian, Navistar chairman, president and CEO. Clean Energy will invest $200 million to build liquid natural gas fueling facilities, said Andrew Littlefair, Clean Energy president and CEO. The company announced in January it expects to have 70 stations open by the end of this year in 33 states, many of them at Pilot-Flying J Travel Centers. Opening of the first 150 stations through 2013 is planned to coincide with the introduction of Navistar's new natural gas engines. Swift Transportation has been testing some of them, said Jerry Moyes, founder and CEO. "We like what we see," he said. "There is a savings to it." Officials said the partnership will help accelerate the adoption of natural gas technologies by including incentives for those who purchase at least 1,000 diesel gallon equivalents of natural gas each month. At current prices, natural gas is about $1.35 a gallon cheaper than diesel. Clean Energy will guarantee fuel prices for five years at a significant reduction from diesel. Navistar will continue to offer DuraStar and WorkStar vocational MARCH 2012 OVERDRIVE 73 trucks with its natural gas-powered MaxxForce DT. For the regional haul and Class 7 and Class 8 vocational market, Navistar will offer the Cummins-Westport ISL-G in the International TranStar and WorkStar. Navistar will continue work with Clean Air Power on the ProStar, WorkStar and PayStar trucks, powered by a diesel pilot injection LNG MaxxForce 13-liter engine. — Max Heine TRUCKING OPPORTUNITIES Circle 190 on Reader Service Card or visit overdrive.hotims.com