South Coast Air Quality Management District

Amend Contract to Cosponsor Development of Ultra-Low Emission Natural Gas Vehicle for Use in Shuttle and Package Delivery Applications

SYNOPSIS:

In July 2000, the Board approved execution of a contract with Baytech Corporation to develop and certify a General Motors 4.3-liter natural gas engine to ULEV standards. This engine was to be demonstrated in Chevrolet Astro Vans operated by American Livery for passenger shuttle and small package delivery in and around the airports in the South Coast Air Basin. Subsequent to contract execution, American Livery was unable to participate in the project. Baytech has secured Coachella Valley Water Districts to demonstrate this low-emission engine in Chevy S-10 Pick-Ups as high-mileage service trucks. Total project cost remains at $398,728; total AQMD funding will not exceed $186,211 as previously authorized by the Board.

COMMITTEE:

Technology, September 28, 2001, Recommended for Approval

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Authorize the Chairman to amend the contract with Baytech Corporation for the development of an ultra-low emission natural gas vehicle for use in passenger shuttle and package delivery applications and redirect the natural gas engine application to Chevy S-10 Pick-Up trucks, at no additional cost.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

In July 2000, the Governing Board approved execution of a contract with Baytech Corporation to develop and certify a General Motors 4.3-liter natural gas engine to ULEV standards. This engine was to be demonstrated in Chevrolet Astro Vans operated by American Livery for passenger shuttle and small package delivery in and around the airports in the South Coast Air Basin. Subsequent to contract execution, American Livery was unable to participate in the project. Baytech Corporation was unable to find another similar participant using the Chevrolet Astro Van. However, Baytech was able to secure Coachella Valley Water Districts to demonstrate the same 4.3-liter natural gas engine in Chevy S-10 pick-up trucks. (The only other dedicated natural-gas pick-up available is the full-size Ford F-150; however, because of its longer wheelbase and wider turning radius, the Water Districts do not utilize this truck). These service trucks average 40,000 miles per year, well above the average light-truck mileage of about 15,000 miles per year. The Chevy S-10 pick-up truck is widely used in the Basin by businesses and government fleets as a light service truck. There are no natural-gas trucks available in this light truck class.

Proposal

Staff is proposing to amend the existing contract with Baytech Corporation. The revised project will retrofit and demonstrate five dedicated ULEV certified Chevy S-10 pick-ups with the Baytech dedicated natural gas 4.3-liter General Motors engine, which are proposed to be funded by the AQMD. The five vehicles will serve as the minimum number of vehicles required by CARB for emissions certification purposes. The contractor shall conduct the testing, data collection and certification tasks. The Coachella Valley Water Districts are funding five additional vehicles to be used in case any of the test vehicles become disabled.

Benefits to AQMD

The amended project is included in the March 2000 update of the Technology Advancement Plan under Project 2000M2-1, Advanced Heavy-Duty Alternative Fuel Engine Component Development. The AQMP relies on the expedited implementation of advanced technologies in Southern California to achieve air quality standards. Development of specific engine software for ULEV-certified vehicles will fill several applications, including service trucks and package delivery vehicles. The proposed product will result in a certified OEM product, fully warranted by General Motors and Baytech. Once this certification is achieved, it is expected that the Coachella Valley Water Districts will procure up to 50 trucks equipped with this engine. ULEVs have about one-half the emissions of a similar LEV certified vehicle.

Resource Impacts

The total amount of AQMD funding for this project shall not exceed the previously authorized $186,211. Partners and cost share are detailed as follows:

Funding Partner	Funding
Coachella Valley Water Districts	$194,237
Baytech	18,280
AQMD	186,211
Total Project Cost	$398,728

Sufficient funds are available from the Clean Fuels Fund, established as a special revenue fund resulting from the state-mandated Clean Fuels Program. The Clean Fuels Program, under Health and Safety Code 40448.5 and 40512 and Vehicle Code 9250.11, establishes mechanisms to collect revenues from mobile sources to support projects to increase the utilization of clean fuels, including the development of the necessary advanced enabling technologies. Funds collected from motor vehicles are restricted, by statute, to be used for projects and program activities related to mobile sources that support the objectives of the Clean Fuels Program.

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