3M announced it has completed the NGV2-2007 certification process for its first compressed natural gas (CNG) tank.
The 21.5 x 60-inch tank is designed for light- and medium-duty pickup trucks and corporate fleet vehicles.
Initially, tanks will be available through five approved upfitters with whom 3M is collaborating. These companies include OEM Systems of Okarche, Okla.; Venchurs Vehicle Systems of Adrian, Mich.; Alternative Fuel Solutions of Mahaffey, Penn.; AVS of Salt Lake City, Utah; and World CNG of Kent, Wash.
The successful certification follows the 2012 announcement by 3M and Chesapeake Energy Corporation (Oklahoma City, Okla.) that the two would collaborate in designing, manufacturing and marketing a broad portfolio of CNG tanks for use in all sectors of the U.S. transportation market.
Nathan Pumphrey, Chesapeake Director – Fleet Operations, says the new 3M Matrix Resin tank cuts the expense of converting fleet vehicles.
Chesapeake is slated to become one of the first end users of the new 21.5 x 60 inch tank, which it will incorporate in its fleet vehicles. Chesapeake is currently converting its fleet of nearly 5,000 vehicles to run on natural gas.
