GM, B.C.-based firm announce plans to develop natural gas technology

Vancouver—Westport Innovations, Inc., is working with General Motors (GM) on an advanced technology development program for the use of natural gas in light-duty vehicles.

The announcement marks the second such agreement between GM and the Vancouver-based company—the first came in June 2011—that will see the two work to develop a pair of new combustion, control and emissions approaches to natural gas engines.

According to Westport, the program will optimize advanced natural gas technologies and applications for maximum carbon dioxide (Co2) reduction and fuel efficiency in light-duty vehicles.

Westport Light Duty recently opened its Michigan Technical Center in Plymouth, Mich., as well as an assembly centre in Louisville, Ky., to support original equipment manufacturer (OEM) programs for personal and commercial vehicles to run on natural gas.

The company has programs aimed at the use of clean-burning fuels such as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), hydrogen, and renewable natural gas (RNG) fuels such as landfill gas and helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG).