BAF Technologies, a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp., today announced the acquisition of Belleville, Michigan-based ServoTech Engineering, Inc., an auto emissions solutions provider. BAF, the leading U.S. provider of natural gas vehicle systems and conversions, recently produced its 20,000th compressed natural gas vehicle conversion.
BAF is the first CNG converter to be recognized as a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier for gaseous fuels.
BAF President John Bacon said, “ServoTech’s long-term relationship with Ford will support BAF in developing calibrations more efficiently going forward. We expect this will enable BAF to have CARB-and EPA-approved vehicles on the road faster than ever.”
Dr Hamid Servati, ServoTech’s current president, will continue to lead the new BAF subsidiary’s operations. As a Ford Qualified Calibration Modifier (QCM), ServoTech has direct access to the Ford engine calibration strategy. Each vehicle converted by BAF is registered through Ford Quality Fleet Care (QFC) for all warranty and service work.
“This makes BAF the only natural gas vehicle QVM with this level of access,” Bacon said. “Currently, BAF has nine different engine families that were developed with ServoTech.”
In addition, BAF crash tests all of its light-duty vehicle products to achieve FMVSS-303 compliance. It has a network of 65 Ford dealers across the country certified to service the company’s CNG conversions.
Since 1987, ServoTech has provided auto emission solutions to the OEM and vehicle retrofit/aftermarket industry, helping manufacturers and vehicle converters comply with emission reduction goals and standards. The company offers research, development and testing services, manufacturing capabilities, software design and development, engine management systems and technical training and education.
In addition, ServoTech designs and manufactures emissions control systems for engine test cells, including a NOx controller, catalytic converters, and electronic controls.
Currently priced up to $1.50 or more per gallon lower than diesel or gasoline (depending upon local markets), the use of natural gas fuels reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30% in light-duty vehicles. The U.S. Department of Energy reports that 98% of the natural gas consumed in the U.S. is sourced in the U.S. and Canada, making natural gas a secure North American energy choice.
[mappress] LNG World News Staff, June 11, 2012