Westport, GM to develop natural gas engines: Reuters

According to Reuters, Westport Innovations and General Motors plan to develop a natural gas engine technology for light motor vehicles, in a move to reduce dependence on conventional fuel, sending the Canadian company’s shares up 13 per cent.

Vancouver-based Westport, which supplies alternative fuel and low-emission transportation technologies, plans to hire more people, and open a technical center in Michigan to meet growing demand for natural gas fuel alternatives.

Major automakers, including GM, Toyota Motor Corp , and Chrysler, which recently said natural gas could be a near-term substitute to gasoline, have ramped up efforts to present the most cost-effective solution to reduce U.S. reliance on oil.

Natural gas, as a vehicle fuel, produces lower emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter and greenhouse gases than petrol or diesel. Demand for the fuel is picking up

“This technology offers the promises of a cleaner, lower cost fuel and reduced carbon footprint, while advancing the use of domestic energy,” said Ian Scott, president of Westport’s light-duty division.

In May, Westport joined hands with Caterpillar Inc to evaluate natural gas fuel system technologies for possible use on Caterpillar’s large engines.