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Are NGVs right for me?
Natural gas vehicles are quickly becoming the vehicles of choice for many businesses,
governments and individuals that are committed to cleaner transportation alternatives.
Add to that the significant fuel savings that available when using Natural Gas and you
have a winning formula for your vehicle fleet. A large selection of vehicle platforms
can operate on natural gas, including full-sized vans, pick-up trucks, taxi cabs,
panel and courier vans, even forklifts and ice-resurfacers.
- Your decision to choose natural gas for vehicles should be based on:
- how much you drive,
- how much you pay for gasoline, and
- what your driving habits are.
And remember, when you choose to run on Natural Gas, you are making a driving decision that results in cleaner air to
breathe for all of us!!
- To find out if an NGV is right for you or your business, ask yourself the following questions:
- Am I interested in saving money on fuel and maintenance costs?
- Is my business concerned about air pollution?
- Do I/we drive vans, pick-ups or large passenger cars?
- Is most of my/our driving done within a certain urban area?
If you answered yes to two or more of these questions, natural gas
vehicles may be the right choice for your business. There are many vehicle options to consider.
Click here to find out more about after-market, natural gas conversion options
and click here for factory built NGVs.
Is it Easy to Fill Up?
It's easy and convenient to refuel your vehicle with Natural Gas. You can fill up at self and full service stations
throughout Ontario.
Click here to locate an Ontario public refueling station close to you or to
learn more about on-site refuelling.
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Look Who's Driving an NGV
Today, most of the Natural Gas-powered vehicles on the road are being used by commercial businesses, taxis, couriers
and government departments.
While most NGV owners drive vehicles that are after-market natural gas conversions (gasoline-powered vehicles with
natural gas components added) automakers now build NGVs
right at the factory and sell and service them in Canada. Keep reading to see who's driving an NGV!
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York Bus Story - Can't you see it's green?
York University values the environment and
wants to set an example for the drivers of
the more than 33,000 cars who travel to its
campus every day.
The university, with a sprawling 550-acre
campus in northern Toronto, has converted
almost half its fleet of shuttle buses to compressed
natural gas-powered vehicles (NGV)
as a more environmentally sustainable mode
of transport.
“York University has a sustainability plan,
which includes the reduction of emissions
and changing our operational vehicles to
natural gas,” says Spokesperson Nicole
Arsenault. “We would like to lead by example
and educate those who are commuting
to York that there are alternatives to gas,
diesel and propane.”
Within the next two years, Nicole adds, the
University plans to have converted its entire
Transportation fleet of 10 vehicles to NGV —
not only as a means of being environmentally
responsible but also to save on fuel and
maintenance costs.
In fact, some of those savings have already
materialized. “We have had financial savings
from the conversion to natural gas fuel, and
with these savings we have purchased an
additional natural gas vehicle for our fleet.”
Larry Hutzul, Sales Representative with
Enbridge’s NGV Business Development
department, says more organizations are
starting to look at NGV as an economical
and environmentally friendly option. Larry’s
department supported York University as it
made the transition to natural gas powered
vehicles by providing training to drivers,
helping with government grant applications
and generally serving as a “quarterback”
to tackle whatever issues came up during
the conversion process.
They are currently working with other large
organizations to spread the good word about
natural gas.
Not surprisingly, the reaction amongst students
and staff at York has been positive
and the red and white buses have become
a popular ‘green’ sighting on campus. “It
has generated a lot of questions and comments
about natural gas and is a positive
change for environmental and economical
reasons,” Nicole adds.
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Taxi Fleets
Associated Toronto Taxi-Cab
Co-Operative Limited
Toronto, Ontario
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Co-op Cabs is now in the process of converting its 300-cab
fleet to natural gas. The company's decision was spurred by the 1998 City of Toronto taxi bylaw that stipulates that
all of Toronto's taxis must be replaced after 5 years, except those that run on natural gas- these enjoy a 2 year extension.
"Co-op Cabs has been using natural gas vehicles since July 1999
in our taxicab fleet. We operate approximately 80 NGVs factory built Ford Crown Victorias and approximately another 80
vehicles that have been converted to natural gas. In addition we also operate a modern state of the art natural gas refilling
station." PeterZahakos, General Manager, Co-op Cabs
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Total Fleet: 325
Total NGVs: 120 NGVs
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Municipal Fleets
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City of Toronto
Toronto, Ontario
Toronto Hydro
Natural-gas powered vehicles |
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Beginning in January 2001, our Fleet Services began giving preference to the purchase/lease of cars and light duty trucks powered by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). CNG alternate-fuelled cars and pick-up trucks have significantly lowered exhaust emissions and reduced our dependency on non-renewable fossil fuels.
Our fleet includes:
- Six dual-fuelled cars powered by CNG as a primary fuel and gasoline as a secondary fuel, for use only when the CNG supply is depleted.
- Over 30 dual-fuelled pick-ups and vans powered by CNG as a primary fuel and gasoline as a secondary fuel, for use only when the CNG supply is depleted. As well, one dual-fuelled pick-up has been in use since 1998, serving as a pilot project.
- 15 dedicated CNG-powered full-size cargo vans.
To fuel these vehicles, off-peak electricity is used to power a slow-fill, overnight refuelling compressor, which takes natural gas from our buildings' heating supply line and compresses it for use as an automotive fuel. In 2000, the first station went into service at our Commissioners Street facility, and a second site began operating at our Carlton Street location early in 2001. An additional compressor and more refuellers were installed at Commissioners Street late in 2001.
Renzo Cacciotti Superviser of Fleet Services has indicated that the natural gas vehicle program has been very successful and the fuel savings from the NGV operation helps to cover the premium fuel costs for Hydro's biodiesel program.
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Commercial Fleets
Durham District School Board
Durham, Ontario
"We currently operate sixteen-(16) N.G.V.’s through eight-(8) on-site fuelmaker compressors. We would like to increase
our usage to include our entire fleet of Maintenance Vehicles…The Durham District School Board is satisfied with our
N.G.V.’s and will continue to expand their usage in the future."
Earl Edmunds, Fleet Supervisor, Durham District School Board
Brent Air Systems
Toronto, Ontario
"Brent Air Systems has used natural gas vehicles since 1987 in our HVAC service company. Brent Air
Systems is pleased with our natural gas vehicles and will continue to use natural gas to fuel our fleets in
the future."
Richard Hill, President, Brent Air Systems
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Be an NGV Owner 
