Allied Specialty Vehicles Joins Westport in Joint CNG Program
Allied Specialty Vehicles, which manufactures motor vehicles for commercial, fire & emergency and recreation markets, including terminal trucks, has entered into an exclusive partnership with Westport, a global leader in alternative fuel, low-emissions transportation technologies.
The partnership expands the availability of the compressed natural gas (CNG) Westport WiNG Power System, currently offered as an option on Allied’s Type A school buses manufactured by Collins Bus, to the company’s commercial bus, emergency and other vehicle products.
“Our customers are demanding environmentally friendly vehicles powered by clean alternative fuel systems that reduce carbon emissions,” said Tim Sullivan, Allied president and CEO. “The ability to expand the availability of the Westport CNG system to other Allied vehicle lines not only demonstrates our commitment to environmental responsibility and sustainability but it also allows us to offer the first factory-certified OEM solution for one-stop installations of alternative fuel systems.”
The Westport WiNG Power System is a dedicated natural gas fuel system for light-duty specialty vehicles built on Ford truck chassis and backed by a Ford factory three-year / 36,000-mile engine and powertrain warranty. As the leading CNG Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM), Westport designed its system to meet Ford’s original equipment manufacturing (OEM) standards. Westport also conducts rigorous, OEM approved safety testing including extensive simulations and physical crash testing that meets or exceeds OEM and U.S. federal safety standards.
“With the distinct price benefits of natural gas, we’re excited to offer a CNG-powered product across multiple Allied vehicle platforms,” said Paul Shaffer, Westport Dallas vice president. “Historically, prices of alternative fuels, especially CNG, are more stable and generally lower than gas and diesel fuel prices that regularly fluctuate up and down, creating a strategic long-term budgeting advantage for fleet vehicle owners. And while global prices for gasoline and diesel fuels are low right now, there is still strong demand for vehicles with alternative fuel systems such as CNG.”
