Volvo Trucks Details Comprehensive “Blue Power” Natural Gas Strategy for North America
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- Parent Category: Industry
- Category: Industry Products
- Published on Tuesday, 12 June 2012 18:42
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Volvo Trucks Details Comprehensive “Blue Power” Natural Gas Strategy for North America
Volvo Trucks announced plans to launch its own 13-liter liquefied natural gas (LNG) engine for North America in 2014.
The engine’s advanced high pressure diesel ignition technology will provide significant fuel efficiency gains compared with current natural gas products. Combined with the company’s previously announced offering of compressed natural gas (CNG)-powered Volvo VNM and VNL model daycabs, the new engine will provide customers with a complete range of natural gas-powered transportation solutions. Volvo is also testing another fuel that can be produced from natural gas, DME (dimethyl ether), which has the potential to become an attractive alternative for the North American market.
“Despite the near-term infrastructure questions regarding widespread adoption of natural gas as a heavy-duty truck fuel, it’s clear this segment will grow over the next several years,” said Ron Huibers, president of Volvo Trucks North American Sales & Marketing. “We’re already delivering factory-built CNG-powered trucks, and as the long-haul fueling infrastructure develops, the advanced technology in our new LNG engine will provide increased range and improved fuel efficiency in a seamlessly integrated Volvo powertrain.”
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NCTA Maintenance Council Tech Night – Electrical Maintenance and Repair
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- Parent Category: ROOT
- Category: Events
- Published on Tuesday, 12 June 2012 18:15
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NCTA Maintenance Council Tech Night – Electrical Maintenance and Repair
The next NCTA Maintenance Council Tech Night will be at 6:00 PM on Thursday, June 28 at the Forsyth Technical Community College Transportation Technology Center, 4255 North Patterson Avenue, Winston Salem, NC 2710
The subject of the program will be Electrical Maintenance and Repair and feature Shelton Shepherd of HD Fleet Reps.
Electrical problems, particularly with lighting and auxiliary systems, are the third highest maintenance expense in most fleet operations and a major cause of unscheduled downtime. Shelton’s program provides a host of ideas and tips to provide high quality, reliable electrical service and repairs.
Discussion will include real world examples and demonstration of tools and techniques to ensure fast, quality electrical repairs and trouble free service down the road.
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Shell and TravelCenters of America Agreement To Provide Natural Gas Fuel Option
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- Parent Category: Industry
- Category: Industry News
- Published on Tuesday, 12 June 2012 18:04
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Shell and TravelCenters of America Agreement To Provide Natural Gas Fuel Option
Shell and its affiliates have signed a memorandum of understanding with TravelCenters of America LLC (TA) to sell liquefied natural gas (LNG) to heavy-duty road transport customers in the US through TA’s existing nationwide network of full-service fueling centers.
Pending final agreements, the proposed plans include constructing more than 200 LNG fuel lanes at about 100 TA sites and Petro Stopping Centers throughout the US interstate highway system. If a final agreement is reached, the first of the LNG fuel lanes are expected to become operational in 2013.
“Using natural gas for transport gives truck fleet operators a new strong advantage because it’s abundant and affordable and a viable alternative to diesel,” said Elen Phillips, Vice President, Shell Fuels Sales & Marketing North America. “This potential alliance with TA would enable Shell to deliver LNG fuel to customers who want a competitively priced fuel option to help them meet increasingly stringent air quality emission standards.”
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B.R.A.K.E.S Will “GO ROUNDS” With NHRA Stars at Benefit Golf Tourney
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- Parent Category: Industry
- Category: Industry Events
- Published on Friday, 01 June 2012 15:22
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B.R.A.K.E.S Will “GO ROUNDS” With NHRA Stars at Benefit Golf Tourney
Drag racers spend most of their time “going rounds” as they compete on the NHRA’s Full Throttle national event schedule. But on Thursday, September 13th, prior to the running of the O’Reilly Auto Parts Nationals at zMax Dragway in Concord, NC, those same NHRA stars will be going rounds of a different kind as they join their fans on the beautiful Rocky River Golf Course adjacent to zMax for the B.R.A.K.E.S. Benefit Golf Tournament.
All NHRA fans and those looking to help support B.R.A.K.E.S. (Be Responsible and Keep Everyone Safe, a 501c3 non-profit organization) are invited to take part in this upbeat fund-raising event, offering them the chance to play side-by-side with their favorite NHRA drivers.
“This is the kind of event that benefits everyone in some way,” says B.R.A.K.E.S. founder and Top Fuel veteran Doug Herbert. “The drivers get a chance to have some fun and get to know their fans a little better; the fans have a golden opportunity to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and the proceeds will help B.R.A.K.E.S. continue its efforts to teach young drivers safer and more conscientious driving skills.”
Many of the NHRA’s brightest stars are expected to participate with awards planned for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd-place finishers, while contests for Closest To the Pin, Hole In One, and Longest Drive will also be held. Lunch will be provided and shuttle buses will be in service from the Embassy Suites Hotel and zMax Dragway to Rocky River Golf Course.
The event will conclude that evening with the 5th Annual B.R.A.K.E.S. Dinner held at the Embassy Suites Hotel. Details will be coming soon.
The Golf Tournament entry fee for a single player is $100, $400 per team with foursomes available. Professional drivers will enjoy complimentary registration.
“I hope everyone will set aside that date and come out for a great game of golf on a truly outstanding course,” adds Herbert. “We’d like to see a big turnout and find out if these racers can swing a club as well as they can get down a racetrack.”
For more information on the tournament, inquire about sponsorship opportunities, or to make a donation to B.R.A.K.E.S., call 704-720-3806 or log onto www.putonthebrakes.com .
MIT Engineers Find Savings Where the Rubber Meets the Road
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- Parent Category: Environmental
- Category: Environmental News
- Published on Thursday, 31 May 2012 18:51
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MIT Engineers Find Savings Where the Rubber Meets the Road
CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- A recently released MIT study shows that using stiffer pavements on US roads could reduce vehicle fuel consumption by as much as 3%. Officials say the resulting savings could add up to 273 million barrels of crude oil per year ($15.6 billion worth based on today’s oil prices) and an annual decrease in CO2 emissions of 46.5 million metric tonnes.
The study is the first to use mathematical modelling rather than roadway experiments to look at the effect of pavement deflection on vehicle fuel consumption across the entire US road network, officials said in a release.
By modeling the physical forces at work when a rubber tire rolls over pavement, the study concludes that because of the way energy is dissipated, the maximum deflection of the load is behind the path of travel. This has the effect of making the tires on the vehicle drive continuously up a slight slope, which increases fuel use.
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