Just recieved this Jim
Attention Business Editors:
Alternative Fuel Systems Inc. Signs Dual Fuel Project Agreement in Bangkok, Thailand
CALGARY, Jan. 27 /CNW/ - Alternative Fuel Systems Inc. (AFS) and its
agent in Asia, Nippon Ecology Work Systems Corp. (ECOS), has signed a Dual
Fuel Testing Agreement with the Bangkok Mass Transit Authority of Thailand
(BMTA) and the Petroleum Authority of Thailand (PTT). The project is funded
by PTT and ECOS with technical support provided by AFS.
In response to serious air quality problems in Bangkok, the Thai Ministry
of Industry has assigned PTT the task of expanding utilization of natural gas
as an alternative fuel to reduce vehicular emissions. The project is expected
to lead to wide-scale conversion of gasoline and diesel engines in Thailand.
The objectives of the dual fuel testing project in Metropolitan Bangkok
are:
1) To demonstrate improved emission quality from buses converted with the
AFS Dual Fuel Multi-Point Injection System (DDF)
2) To compare engine performance and fuel consumption before and after
installation of the AFS DDF system
3) To provide DDF technology transfer and training to enable PTT and its
associates to effectively develop programs to expand the NGV Program
in Thailand with the AFS DDF system.
The bus, truck, and car engine types to be tested represent the most
common commercial and personal vehicles in use within Bangkok's overall
vehicle fleet, namely, Hino, Isuzu, Mercedes, Mitsubishi, Toyota, and Honda.
They range from older models which will be retrofitted with either the Eagle
Diesel Dual Fuel (DDF), or Sparrow Gasoline/CNG Fuel Management Systems, to
newer models which will be fitted with a DDF system during the original
equipment manufacture (OEM).
The use of natural gas (NG) in Thailand as opposed to conventional fuels
allows for significant fuel cost savings with a quick payback period, and,
being an indigenous energy source, offers higher levels of self-reliance
within the country, reducing dependence on imported diesel fuel and crude
oils. Currently, one CNG fueling station is operating in Bangkok with plans
to build 7 more and to further expand gas infrastructure.
AFS and ECOS have been working together for several years developing new
business opportunities in the Asian markets. Their combined efforts have
resulted in the successful conversion of a new Hino bus engine to a diesel
dual fuel engine meeting Euro 2 emission regulations. The engine is now a
commercially viable product, and business opportunities are currently being
negotiated. In addition to the Hino engine, new Isuzu and Mitsubishi 4 and 6
cylinder Japanese truck engines are being jointly developed into diesel dual
fuel engines which will meet low emission vehicle (LEV) status both in Japan
and the United States. LEV vehicles can qualify for government subsidies in
both countries.
The innovative Sparrow and Eagle technologies along with the
revolutionary reverse flow catalytic converter (RFC) have positioned AFS on
the cutting edge of global efforts to reduce engine emissions. AFS is listed
on the Vancouver Stock Exchange, trading under symbol ATF.
%SEDAR: 00003847E
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For further information: Alternative Fuel Systems Inc., Jo-Anne Cappis, Investor Relations, (403) 262-1833, (403) 237-7441, email: afsweb@telusplanet.net, website: www.altfuelsys.com |
