ATF alert. Just released an NR. Traded 500k shares before the release and up to $1.08.
AFS FUEL CONVERSION PROJECT IN NEW DEHLI
ALTERNATIVE FUEL SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES NEW DELHI TEST PROJECT CONVERTING
MARUTI UDYOG CARS TO NATURAL GAS OPERATION. GOVERNMENT MANDATES NG
VEHICLES USE IN INDIA.
CALGARY, May 25 /CNW/ - Alternative Fuel Systems (AFS), of Calgary,
Alberta, is supplying fuel conversion systems for a pilot project in New
Delhi, India. Two factory built Maruti cars, manufactured by Maruti Udyog
Ltd. (MUL), have been converted from gasoline burning engines to natural gas
(NG) operation using the AFS Sparrow fuel management system.
Due to impending Government legislation, MUL must have an NG option for
all models. Seven NG refuelling stations are strategically located throughout
New Delhi with an eighth under construction.
MUL manufactures approximately 75% of the cars operating in India.
Ownership of MUL is divided 50/50 between The Government of India and the
Suzuki Motor Corporation.
Maruti vehicles being tested, the Esteem passenger car and Omni van, are
powered by Suzuki 0.8 and 1.3 litre engines. Two AFS Sparrow conversion kits
were installed in New Delhi in early May by Motormedics, the AFS national
representative, under the supervision of AFS Service Manager Marvin McKechnie.
Mckechnie observes, ''As with other projects AFS around the world,
vehicle operators are impressed by the engine performance, claiming the
converted Omni and Esteem perform better on NG than on gasoline.''
He notes, ''The reasons for improved performance are easy to pin-point.
Maruti engines use carburettors as opposed to fuel injectors. The Sparrow's
advanced technology fuel management system greatly enhances performance.
Eliminating the carburettor also eliminates the problem of engine flooding in
the extremely hot temperatures experienced through much of India.''
The vehicles were returned to the MUL factory where they are undergoing
emissions testing scheduled for completion June 30th. Based on the test
results, Motormedics General Manager, Suresh Kaushik, anticipates an initial
order of up to 2,000 AFS Sparrow kits. Discussions are also underway between
AFS and two major diesel engine suppliers in India regarding the AFS Eagle
Diesel Duel Fuel System.
The pilot project was initiated in response to a major initiative by the
Government of India to mandate natural gas use in cars, trucks, and buses in
an effort to reduce exhaust emissions. The government is about to introduce
legislation making NG use mandatory. The program will be phased in beginning
with government fleet vehicles.
As part of the initiative, 2 stroke engines used for power rickshaw taxis
will be completely banned. The Maruti Omni is viewed as ideal for taxicab
service.
The New Delhi project further demonstrates the adaptability of the
Sparrow system for use with a diverse range of engines. It maintains
performance, significantly reduces exhaust emissions, and provides fuel
economy. When comparing equal volumes of NG to gasoline, NG costs 25% of the
price of gasoline in India.
AFS has successfully developed three major products which significantly
lower vehicle exhaust emissions that contribute to Greenhouse Gas. The
Sparrow is central to a major project underway in Mexico City, where
microbuses and other vehicles are now being converted from gasoline to NG
operation. When the project is fully implemented, 10,000 microbuses per year
will be converted over a ten year period.
The AFS advanced technology Eagle Diesel Duel Fuel management system has
been tested in pilot projects in cities like Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Osaka, Seoul,
and Pusan. A recent agreement was signed with Clean Exhaust Emissions Ltd. of
London forming a partnership to respond to immediate demands for diesel dual
fuel conversion kits in the United Kingdom and Europe.
May 15th AFS announced a major test project in Santiago, Chile. The
Eagle is being used to convert two buses and two trucks, using Mercedes diesel
engines, to dual fuel operation. The Sustainable Santiago Project is a joint
initiative of the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives,
and the Municipality of Santiago and the Corporation for the Development of
Santiago.
In February, 1998, AFS introduced a Reversing Flow Catalytic Converter
(RFC) developed with Matros Technologies (MT), of St. Louis, Missouri, a world
leader in catalytic process. The RFC is highly effective in reducing total
hydrocarbon concentrations (THC) from tailpipe emissions of diesel and
natural-gas fueled engines compared to conventional oxidation converters.
Minimizing THC emissions is critical to meeting regulatory requirements in
Europe and Japan. A paper co-authored by AFS, MT, the University of Alberta,
and Johnson Matthey, the worlds largest manufacturer of catalytic converters,
will be presented at the International Conference and Exhibition for Natural
Gas Vehicles 98 at Cologne, Germany, May 26 - 28th.
The innovative Eagle, Sparrow, and revolutionary Reversing Flow Catalytic
Converter, firmly positions AFS on the cutting edge of global efforts to
reduce engine emissions. AFS is listed on the Vancouver Stock Exchange,
trading symbol ATF.V.
The Vancouver Stock Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept
responsibility for the adequacy or adequacy or accuracy of this News Release.
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