Seal Beach, CA-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp.’s fueling infrastructure manufacturer, IMW Industries, on Monday introduced a new self-contained, mobile compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling station designed for small to mid-size vehicle fleets. The announcement from IMW’s Vancouver, BC, headquarters comes within days of a Canadian industry-government launch of a nationwide effort to boost the use of natural gas for transportation in Canada (see related story).

Enclosed in a protective trailer shell, IMW said its new system can fuel CNG-powered refuse trucks, delivery trucks, service vans or other types of vehicle fleets. It features onboard fueling capability for 10 vehicles simultaneously in time-fill mode or for two vehicles in fast-fill mode. It is designed for use together with a portable generator (or site power) and an onsite utility gas supply connection, according to a IMW spokesperson.

The mobile system is on a 24-foot trailer for quick deployment to fleet locations across the country. Its backers claim it can provide CNG fueling for new fleets or while a permanent station is under construction or undergoing equipment maintenance.

“At the heart of the mobile unit is the proven onboard IMW50 reciprocating compressor, and all the supporting equipment designed for compressing and dispensing natural gas quickly and safely while providing maximum cost-savings and environmental benefits to fleets,” said Brad Miller, IMW CEO.

With the growing demand for natural gas fueling by vehicle fleets, the mobile station can be deployed and operating in days rather than months providing the economic and environmental benefits of using natural gas fuel quickly, the IMW spokesperson said..

“This new product offering broadens our capabilities in the expanding market for natural gas compression equipment for fueling transportation in North America and worldwide,” Miller said. “The flexibility and utility of this mobile CNG system supports fleet operators looking to provide temporary or emergency coverage for their CNG fueling networks. The mobile CNG fueling package includes proven IMW CNG components in a system that combines ease of mobility with plug-and-play installation simplicity.”

Each package has an industrial CNG compressor, high-pressure CNG storage, multi-point CNG dispensing, gas controls and electrical controls in a unique, purpose-built transport trailer.

Miller emphasized that the IMW50 reciprocating compressor is the proven heart of the system, and all the supporting equipment is designed for compressing and dispensing natural gas quickly and safely while providing “maximum cost-savings and environmental benefits” to fleets.

Clean Energy Fuels said CNG currently is priced up to $1.50 or more per gallon lower than diesel or gasoline (depending upon local markets), and the use of natural gas fuel reduces costs significantly for vehicle and fleet owners, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30% in light-duty vehicles and 23% in medium to heavy-duty vehicles.

IMW Industries manufactures and services advanced natural gas fueling compressors and related equipment that is sold to station operators and commercial fleets, and has provided more than 1,200 installations in 24 countries. The company operates a manufacturing facility at its headquarters near Vancouver; a second manufacturing facility near Shanghai, China; and a third manufacturing facility near Ferndale, WA.

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