Freightliner M2 CNG Comes to Trinidad & Tobago
Earlier this year, NGC CNG Company Limited (NGC CNG), a subsidiary of The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited, invited companies in the heavy duty and extra heavy duty sector to respond to an Expression of Interest for funding of their conversion to Compressed Natural Gas. With the launch last week of the CNG Freightliner truck now available in the country, the company is confident it has made the switch over to CNG much more appealing.
Nine companies responded to the EOI, stating their intentions to switch to or to convert over 300 vehicles. “Those responses are in the final stages of an evaluation process and we expect to have some developments in that area soon,” said Anna Alisa Goindoo, Sales & Marketing Manager, NGC CNG at the launch.
The CNG-powered trucks were brought into market as part of ongoing efforts to move the transport sector away from diesel and gasoline based fuels to cleaner, cost-effective alternative.
The vehicle on display was the Freightliner M2 106 CNG with ISL G 300 Hp @ 2100 rpm, made available by Diamond Motors through its Ansa Motors dealership. “We have a range of clientele that it would be suitable for. So, we could start with the heavy industrial sector and work it all the way down to individual businessmen who want to invest in a high quality unit with the government subsidies to support it,” said Rishi Basdeo, general manager at Diamond Motors in local media (The Guardian).
Powered by compressed natural gas (CNG), the units were brought into market as part of ongoing efforts to move the transport sector away from diesel and gasoline based fuels to cleaner, cost-effective alternative.
In her speech delivered at the launch, Anna Alisa Goindoo explained the gathering momentum for CNG in Trinidad and Tobago:
“Just over a year ago, in March 2015, we were at Classic Motors across the road congratulating ANSA Automotive for launching the Honda City CNG. The success of that vehicle has surely pleased those bold enough to have made that decision to bring it to these shores.
“A few months ago, we were also here along with officials of the hearing impaired association, to congratulate them on the purchase of the 21 seater CNG Golden Dragon Omnibus from Diamond Motors.
“Now a Freightliner CNG cab and chasis, again from Diamond Motors. We are getting very comfortable coming to this location for events with CNG vehicles. And with each milestone and launch, the vehicle market is continuing to evolve in Trinidad and Tobago. On behalf of NGC CNG, I would like to congratulate ANSA Automotive for being a leader and at the forefront of this change and evolution.”
Goindoo went on to explain CNG offers major cost savings at a dollar a litre, its clean burning properties reduces the carbon footprint, and there are various incentives in place by the state including no motor vehicle tax and no vat on OEM and up to 4 year old CNG vehicles. “Plus if you convert your existing vehicle from liquid fuel to CNG, there is a capital uplift allowance of 130%. It makes switching to CNG much easier,” she added.
https://www.ngvglobal.com/blog/freightliner-m2-cng-comes-to-trinidad-tobago-0910
