SAE International says it is launching an initiative to establish standards for the equipment and systems that are integrated into natural gas vehicles (NGVs).
The group says the impetus for these efforts was a clear understanding among attendees at its recent SAE 2013 Commercial Vehicle Engineering Congress that NGVs would soon assume a much more significant position in the transportation sector, particularly among heavy-duty vehicles.
‘All indicators point to [an] increase in the number of vehicles fueled by natural gas,’ Ron Eickelman, president of Agility Fuel Systems, said during the event. ‘To achieve universal levels of safety, reliability and performance, there is no question that codes and improved standards are needed now.’
SAE International's Truck and Bus Council is spearheading the standards-making work, which is in its initial stages. The group is encouraging any interested stakeholder to contact Jana Wright (jwright@sae.org) to contribute to the effort.
