INTERNATIONAL GROUP PUSHES GAS, NGVs

Industry officials from 17 countries have formed an association to promote gas as a world transportation fuel. "Anywhere in the world there are vehicles and natural gas, there should be natural gas vehicles (NGVs)," said Jeffrey M. Seisler. Seisler was picked to be the first executive director of the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association (Engva). He formerly was executive director of the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, Arlington, Va. "Engva will help develop the global network necessary to

July 11, 1994

2 min read

Industry officials from 17 countries have formed an association to promote gas as a world transportation fuel.

"Anywhere in the world there are vehicles and natural gas, there should be natural gas vehicles (NGVs)," said Jeffrey M. Seisler.

Seisler was picked to be the first executive director of the European Natural Gas Vehicle Association (Engva). He formerly was executive director of the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, Arlington, Va.

"Engva will help develop the global network necessary to achieve a worldwide market for natural gas as a vehicle fuel and for NGVs," Seisler said.

Based in Amsterdam, Engva plans to urge member nations of the European Community to adopt more stringent vehicle emissions standards and incentives to encourage development and use of NGVs. Developing NGV technology, especially by European original equipment manufacturers, also will be a focus of the group.

Engva takes as its primary mission supporting development of sustainable, profitable NGV markets throughout Europe. It plans to champion development and commercialization of NGV technology and European NGV refueling infrastructure by creating favorable political and economic environments.

While it will concentrate on developing NGVs and NGV markets in Europe, Engva intends to build an international membership to help gas and NGVs claim shares of regional vehicle fuels markets worldwide.

Sixty-three companies, including gas suppliers and distributors, NGV equipment suppliers, and others interested in commercializing NGVs, are Engva founding members. Officers chosen to lead the new group reflect its European roots, as well as the breadth of companies that support its cause:

Peter Kalish, Engva's first chairman, is chief executive officer of Rhenag Rheinische Energie AG, Germany.
George Chaudron, elected Engva vice-chairman, is president of the Royal Belgian Gas Association NGV task force and manager of logistics at Electrabel DC, Belgium's national electrical power and gas utility.
Edward N. van Dalsem, Engva secretary, is director of Gasbedrijf Centraal Nederland, Utrecht, a major Netherlands gas company.