Collins Bus is expanding its CNG and propane Type-A school bus options with two separate deals for factory-certified fuel system installations.
Earlier this year, Collins Bus and Westport teamed on a webinar to discuss the cost savings of CNG for school buses. Yesterday, Allied Specialty Vehicles, the parent company of Collins, announced an exclusive partnership with Westport to bring the same CNG WING Power system to commercial, fire and emergency and RV markets.
“Our customers are demanding environmentally friendly vehicles powered by clean alternative fuel systems that reduce carbon emissions,” said Tim Sullivan, ASV president and CEO. “The ability to expand the availability of the Westport CNG system to other ASV 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.”
ASV said 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.
Westport is a CNG Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier an designed its system to meet Ford’s original equipment manufacturing (OEM) standards.
ASV added that 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 ASV vehicle platforms,” said Paul Shaffer, vice president of Westport Dallas, the primary location where the WING Power System is installed. “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.”
Just last week, ASV also announced an exclusive partnership with CleanFUEL USA to provide a propane autogas system to Collins Bus and its other lines of vehicles. Collins had used third-party upfitters to install the propane systems, but the CleanFUEL deal means they now meet ASV factory certification requirements.
Sullivan said customers will now receive a full OEM warranty while installation efficiency and quality control will improve. The partnership is also developing customer service centers that will offer spare parts and maintenance services for a full suite of CleanFUEL USA propane autogas systems for multiple ASV product lines and their customers.
“We consistently hear requests from ASV fleet customers – those who run shuttle and transit buses, terminal trucks and emergency vehicles, for instance – looking for propane autogas options,” said Curtis Donaldson, founder and managing partner of CleanFUEL USA. “We are thrilled to partner with ASV to meet the needs of customers throughout the U.S. and abroad seeking the benefits of propane autogas.”
