Transitioning from Diesel to Natural Gas Fleet?

What to look for when considering natural gas vehicles for your fleet

Natural gas is arguably one of the most exciting alternative fuels on the market. Adding natural gas vehicles to your fleet doesn’t just help lower fuel costs and dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas is abundant, domestically produced, and runs cleaner than diesel, so there is no need for an after treatment system, eliminating the need to carry diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) or have drivers deal with the re-gen requirements for today’s diesel vehicles and freeing up driver time to make sure deliveries are made on schedule is key to expanding business opportunity.

With benefits like these, it’s not surprising that natural gas vehicle uptake is growing. However, despite the advantages, one of the biggest roadblocks to adoption has been the lack of knowledge surrounding vehicle acquisition. Acquiring a natural gas vehicle is inherently more complex than acquiring a diesel truck.

Most light and medium duty Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles are converted from conventional gasoline fuel vehicles following a tightly regulated conversion process. However, not all vehicles or manufacturers are created equal, and not all manufacturers follow required protocols. If you’re acquiring a natural gas vehicle, it’s essential to know the difference.

The CNG world has a few different certifications and standards you should know about as you are transitioning from diesel to natural gas for your fleet.

Five questions to ask before buying a natural gas vehicle

1. Is it EPA certified?
   

   By law, the engine and emission control systems used in heavy-duty natural gas vehicles must meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards. In fact, it’s illegal to convert a vehicle to operate on an alternative fuel like natural gas without a certified or approved conversion system.

   To avoid safety, legal or performance issues, make sure any vehicle you acquire has all required EPA certifications for its engine family based on gross vehicle weight. Requirements change as engine families evolve, so choose a manufacturer that’s diligent about keeping its certifications up to date.

2. Is it CARB certified?
   In addition to meeting EPA standards, all converted vehicles operating in California must meet stringent California Air Resources Board (CARB) requirements. CARB certification ensures approved emissions levels and a cleaner burning vehicle. If you’re in another state, check to see if your state follows EPA or CARB guidelines before acquiring or converting a vehicle.
3. Is it factory-built by a reputable manufacturer?

   In many ways, natural gas is the Wild West of transportation. Currently, there are two types of CNG fuel systems: dedicated vehicles or conversions that only run on CNG and bi-fuel vehicles that can run on CNG or gasoline. These vehicles are typically retrofitted with a CNG fuel tank.

   There are also two ways to purchase/convert to a natural gas vehicle. The first is by leasing or purchasing a vehicle built from the ground up using factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep engines with hardened valves, valve seats, pistons and rings from a reputable, certified manufacturer like GreenKraft.

   Alternately, non-certified aftermarket conversion kits are available on the Internet or through automotive shops that convert conventional gasoline fuel systems to operate on natural gas fuel. It’s not only a federal violation to convert vehicles this way, it’s dangerous and introduces a number of risks:

   • You don’t know what parts have been used or where they came from
   • Lack of product/installation support
   • They don’t adhere to the original equipment manufacturer’s specifications
   • The original computer system has not been re-flashed
4. Is it DYNO tested?
   When an engine built for gasoline is converted for natural gas via EPA and CARB-certified fuel systems, it must be DYNO tested to ensure that the engine and transmission can achieve the required power and shift points. A key criterion for choosing a vehicle and manufacturer: look for one with an in-house emissions laboratory that does all testing in-house to ensure that the vehicle not only meets, but exceeds specifications set forth by the original manufacturer, like GreenKraft.
5. Is it made in America?
   There are benefits to purchasing vehicles that are either built in America or have a significant number of their components made in America. The main reason? Maintenance and repair. Even if the cab and chassis come into the U.S. from overseas, if most of parts are American-made, you can get parts when you need them – without waiting three or four months to order them.

Considering adding natural gas vehicles to your fleet, but not sure what to look for or how to purchase, lease or rent them? Bottom line: work with a company that uses top-notch parts, has all the right certifications and does what it takes to meet all requirements for running natural gas.

Written by Frank Ziegler, Director of Alternative Fuels Truck Sales GreenKraft, Inc.  Frank Ziegler is a 30 year sales and marketing professional with 7 years experience in the alternative transportation industry. Throughout his career, Frank has played a active role in sales calls, training, marketing and support of the rollout of GreenKraft CNG trucks for Ryder’s customers in the California market segment.