Vehicle

Add two more U.S. natural gas fueling stations to the domestic map — and leave room for more — Clean Energy Fuels Corp. said.

A Canadian unit of California-based Clean Energy Fuels Corp. said Thursday it has inked an exclusive agreement with Russian Machines Corp. (RM) to provide compressed natural gas (CNG) equipment and expertise to bolster the alternative fueling infrastructure network in Russia.

Super-frigid temperatures throughout the eastern half of the nation combined with President Obama’s boost for natural gas in his State of the Union speech shined an ever-brighter light on the use of natural gas vehicles (NGV). In both cases, alternative fuel transportation advocates got a chance to further state their case.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) is being studied regarding for it performs in sub-freezing temperatures and for how its fueling procedures can be accelerated to be more in line with that of liquid fuels.

Two state lawmakers in Ohio, home of the Utica Shale play, are preparing legislation that would offer tax credits for five years for converting cars and trucks powered by gasoline or diesel fuel into bi-fuel vehicles, and for purchasing vehicles powered by gaseous fuels, including propane and compressed natural gas (CNG).

LyondellBasell Industries, a worldwide chemical company based in the Netherlands, expects to complete a cracker expansion at the Channelview, TX, facility near Houston by the end of the year, with production ramping up in early 2014.

Already promoting diesels, hybrids and electric vehicles (EV), Volkswagen (VW) is reportedly considering a natural gas vehicle (NGV) model in the United States, drawn by abundant U.S. natural gas supplies. Fueling infrastructure remains a concern of the German automaker, however.

While there is still much bullishness toward natural gas as a transportation fuel, industry leaders cast some doubts over its relative role in building demand for gas at LDC Gas Forum Mid-Continent in Chicago on Monday.

Natural gas transportation fueling infrastructure specialist, Trillium CNG in August stretched its compressed natural gas (CNG) fueling facilities literally nationwide, opening new stations in San Jose, CA, and Richmond, VA.