MobilityWorks to display van conversions designed for people in wheelchairs. New product guide to help disabled community with identifying adaptive vehicle and equipment choices.Farmingdale, NJ (PRWEB) April 24, 2012 MobilityWorks of New Jersey (formerly Monmouth Vans, Access & Mobility) will display a selection of three different wheelchair minivan conversions now being sold through the company …

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MobilityWorks to Feature Wheelchair Accessible Vans at New York Metro Abilities Expo. Releases New 24 Page Adaptive …

NEW YORK, April 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ –Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue:

http://www.reportlinker.com/p0843541/Total-Cost-of-Ownership-of-Alternative-Fuel-Vehicles-for-Fleet-Operators.html#utm_source=prnewswire&utm_medium=pr&utm_campaign=Renewable_energy

Many fleet managers are experiencing cross-cutting pressures to streamline operational costs and reduce the environmental impact of their fleets. Some fleet managers are struggling to understand the best, most cost-effective way to “green” their vehicle fleet while ensuring that operations continue to run smoothly. Alternatively, some fleet managers see a greener fleet as a way to reduce the costs associated with their vehicles. As a result, it is important for fleet managers to understand the total cost of ownership (TCO) implications of the vehicles they utilize.

There is presently a wide array of alternative vehicle options on the market: The options considered are hybrid (HEV), plug-in hybrid (PHEV), battery electric (BEV), compressed natural gas (CNG), ethanol, biodiesel and propane. This report aims to help fleet operators differentiate among the various alternatives, with an emphasis on a comparative TCO analysis including an assessment of the key elements that differentiate the various alternative vehicle types and their payback period: the upfront vehicle price, available incentives that offset the vehicle price, lifetime fuel costs, lifetime maintenance costs, and (in some cases) the vehicle’s residual value. Pike Research’s comparison of small passenger cars finds that the compact BEV and HEV models have lower TCOs than the small gasoline model, while the PHEV, mid-size HEV, diesel and CNG all have lower TCO than the mid-sized gasoline sedan. By comparison, the flex-fuel and stop-start options do not pay off their higher sticker prices. This is primarily because there is limited number of models available and these are in the higher price range of their vehicle segment.

This Pike Research report provides a comparative TCO analysis across various alternative fuel vehicle categories including biodiesel, ethanol/flex-fuel, propane/autogas, compressed natural gas, stop-start, hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, battery electric, and fuel cell vehicles. The primary focus is on fleet vehicles as they would operate in North America, with additional coverage provided for Western European vehicles and operations. Because each fleet is experience is different, this report also includes a spreadsheet that can be customized with the fleet operators’ own data.

-How do AFVs compare in TCO as fuel prices change?

-What alternative fuel vehicles are available in the U.S. and Europe?

-What incentives are available that can offset the price premium of alternative fuel vehicles?

-Automotive marketing managers

-Alternative fuel suppliers

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Total Cost of Ownership of Alternative Fuel Vehicles for Fleet Operators

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

BAF, a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE – News), staged Open House ceremonies yesterday at its new Dallas production facility to mark the companys 20th Anniversary and the completion of its 20,000th compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicle conversion.

Located at 2176 French Settlement Road in Dallas, the new 91,000-square-foot BAF headquarters site houses the companys R&D, vehicle conversion, and service operations.

On hand for the Open House event, Douglas R. Clark, President of the Omaha, NE Metropolitan Utilities District, officially took possession of BAFs 20,000th CNG conversion, a dedicated Ford F-250 pickup truck for use in the Districts service fleet.

BAF President John Bacon told event guests, This is a landmark day in the history of BAF. Were celebrating 20 years in the business. We have opened the doors of our new facility, and we are commemorating these events with the delivery of our 20,000th natural gas vehicle conversion. Our industry has grown from just an idea 20 years ago to today, when hundreds of natural gas-powered vehicle fleets are deployed across the nation every day.

Bacon added, Just this year, BAF expects to convert more than 5,000 vehicles to CNG power, and we are very excited about our prospects for continuing growth in the next 20 years.

Special guests at the anniversary celebration included Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings and Clean Energy Co-Founders T. Boone Pickens and Andrew Littlefair, who serves as Clean Energys CEO.

BAF is the first CNG converter recognized as a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) for gaseous fuel. Further, the company uses Ford-accredited QCM (Quality Calibrations Modifier) calibrations and all vehicles converted by BAF are registered through Ford QFC (Quality Fleet Care) for all warranty and service work through Ford dealerships. Finally, BAF takes the extra step of crash testing its light-duty vehicle products to achieve federal compliance. It has a network of 65 dealers across the country certified to install BAFs CNG conversions.

BAF is the only Ford QVM with a full product line up including the F250 through the F550 trucks along with the F53 and 59 package vehicles, the E 250-450 series, the Transit Connect, and the bifuel CNG E-250/350 vans and F-250/350 pickups.

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.

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BAF Celebrates Its 20th Anniversary and 20,000th CNG Vehicle Conversion at Its New Production Facility in Dallas

DALLAS–(BUSINESS WIRE)–

BAF, a wholly owned subsidiary of Clean Energy Fuels Corp. (Nasdaq: CLNE – News), today announced the company has received CARB (California Air Resources Board) Executive Orders (EO) for its CNG-powered 2012 Ford F-Series 250/350 pickups and E-Series 250/350 vans.

The CARB EOs allow the vehicles to be sold and operated in California, the state with the most stringent emissions control rules, effective immediately, as well as in sixteen other states that follow CARB rules. In effect, the CNG-fueled Ford F-Series 250/350 pickups and E-Series 250/350 vans will now be available in all 50 states.

F-Series 250/350 pickups are a popular choice for fleet operators, particularly on the Eastern seaboard. Many of these states have opted to apply CARB standards to natural gas vehicles. BAF is the first CNG converter in the country to achieve CARB certification for its F-Series pickups.

The CNG-powered BAF E-250/350 vans already in wide use by service providers like AT&T and Super Shuttle have been CARB-certified since 2007. The new CARB EO extends the certification to include the 2012 model year.

Our new CARB certifications provide an important opportunity for BAF as we continue to supply CNG vehicles to fleets of all types. We believe no other company in the market has made the investments in quality that we have, said John Bacon, BAF president.

We continue to ensure that every aspect of our company is positioned to serve our existing customers as well as the growing market demand for vehicles powered by clean, domestic, cost-efficient CNG fuel, he added.

In addition to the F-Series 250/350 pickups and E-250/350 vans, BAF has CARB EOs for the 2012 F-450/550/650 utility body, the F-53/59 commercial chassis, the E-450 shuttle, and the Ford Transit Connect. Also for 2012, BAF has EPA certifications for all of these vehicles as well as the bifuel CNG E-250/350 vans and F-250/350 pickups.

With our broad CARB and EPA-approved line-up of seven product families, BAF has emerged as the leading provider of quality-tested, CNG-powered fleet vehicles in the industry, Bacon said.

BAF is the first CNG converter recognized as a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier (QVM) for gaseous fuel. Further, the company uses Ford-accredited QCM (Quality Calibrations Modifier) calibrations and all vehicles converted by BAF are registered through Ford QFC (Quality Fleet Care) for all warranty and service work through Ford dealerships. Finally, BAF takes the extra step of crash testing its light-duty vehicle products to achieve FMVSS 303 compliance.

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BAF Earns CARB Certification for 2012 CNG Ford Vans and Pickups

LA-based Agency Provides Key Strategies for a Successful Integrated Online Marketing CampaignEl Segundo, Ca (PRWEB) March 30, 2012 Wpromote, an award winning online advertising agency providing integrated services for clients such as Toyota, Behr, Zenni Optical, and RG Barry, is proud to announce the release of their latest white paper, “5 Rules to Maximize PPC, SEO, & Social Media: How the …

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Wpromote Releases New White Paper, “5 Rules to Maximize PPC, SEO, & Social Media: How the Smartest Marketers Integrate …

“How It’s Built,” a powerful new video that details the conversion process of a Honda Odyssey minivan into a highly specialized vehicle for the disabled, was released to the public on Feb. 22, 2012. The video, which is approximately 10 minutes, provides an in-depth, behind-the-scenes look into the engineering and design process that has enabled countless wheelchair users across the country to …

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New Video Reveals Design, Technology in VMI Wheelchair Accessible Vans

BETHPAGE, N.Y., March 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ — Three new wheelchair-accessible vehicles are up for grabs through a contest just launched by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) as part of May Mobility Awareness Month. Bussani Mobility Team (a member of the association and a local provider of adaptive automotive mobility solutions) is encouraging veterans, seniors, and people of all ages with physical disabilities to enter the contest.

“Over 18 million people in the U.S. and Canada have mobility issues. But so many aren’t aware of the automotive options that are available today to help those who are dealing with physical disabilities gain their freedom and independence back,” said Daniel Bussani, Vice President at Bussani Mobility Team. “To help spread the word, May has been declared the first National Mobility Awareness Month. We’re proud to participate in this important event because we feel the contest will raise awareness among the general population about how adaptive mobility vehicles can change peoples’ lives and give them new hope to live out their dreams.”

The search is now on for three “Local Heroes” in the U.S. and Canada who have a story to tell about how they are dealing with overcoming mobility challenges so they can live an active lifestyle. Entries are being accepted through May 13 only at http://www.MobilityAwarenessMonth.com. Participants simply submit either a picture and written story (up to 400 words) or a videotaped story (1-3 minutes long) of how they have overcome or are dealing with mobility issues. Caregivers, friends and family members are also welcome to submit entries for others. Participants should then encourage their friends and family to vote for their entry at the site; voting is open from April 1-May 13. Each mobility dealer has a code and when participants include this code in their entry, they get 5 extra votes (#777 represents Bussani Mobility Team).

In May, the three people with the most inspiring stories will be awarded their fantastic new wheelchair-accessible vehicles by NMEDA on a national TV show such as “Good Morning America” or “Ellen.” Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. is donating a 2012 Sienna Minivan; SanTan Honda Superstore is donating a Honda Odyssey; Chrysler LLC is giving away a 2012 Town & Country Minivan; and van conversions companies like Braun Corporation, Vantage Mobility International, and Bruno Independent Living Aids are providing lowered floor conversion and specialized equipment.

Bussani Mobility Team (http://www.bussanimobility.com) is a leading provider of automotive mobility products and services for people with disabilities. The company helps people with disabilities regain the freedom and independence to go where they want to go and do what they want to do. Established in 1974 with headquarters in Bethpage, NY, Bussani Mobility Team is a market leader in the Tri-State (NY, NJ, CT) area.

Press contact: Denise Caiazzo 845-429-7983 dcaiazzo@wegetyouthere.com

This press release was issued through eReleases(R). For more information, visit eReleases Press Release Distribution at http://www.ereleases.com.

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May Mobility Awareness Month Contest Just Launched to Give Away Three New Wheelchair Accessible Vans to 'Local Heroes …

Kersey Mobility, a leading provider of handicap vans and mobility equipment in the Pacific Northwest, has today announced a new line of service packages for their customers.Spokane,WA (PRWEB) March 27, 2012 Kersey Mobility, a respected handicap van and mobility dealer throughout the Pacific Northwest, has today debuted innovative new service packages to provide their customers with more …

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Kersey Mobility Debuts New Line of Service Packages for Customers

LUTON March 27, 2012: Vauxhall Commercial Vehicles will be displaying its full model range at the CV Show 2012 at the NEC in Birmingham from the 24th to 26th April on stand 1E50 in Hall 1, including Movano, Vivaro, New Combo, Astravan and Corsavan.

New Combo will make its UK show debut and will be shown in all three wheelbase and roof height combinations. With a payload of up to one tonne and a driving range of up to 777 miles thanks to its frugal engines, New Combo has already proved that it is a great proposition for van operators.

Vauxhall is the number one van manufacturer in the UK and was also number one in the van retail sector in 2011. Underpinning its success has been Vivaro and to celebrate, a stylish new addition to the range will be on the CV Show stand.

The Movano range will also play a key role in Vauxhalls display. On show will be panel vans, passenger carriers (in 9-seat Combi and 17-seat Minibus configurations) and the new factory-finished core conversions including Tipper and Dropside. All core conversions come with Vauxhalls three-year or 100,000-mile warranty on both the chassis and conversion.

The Movano Tipper conversion comes with either a chassis or crew cab and features a five-stage under-floor ram and a 50-degree tipping angle, powered by a 2kW electro-hydraulic pack connected to a remote hand-held tipping control.

The versatile Movano Dropside also comes with either a chassis or crew cab and has a completely flat load platform, up to 4470mm in length. An optional large toolbox can be mounted behind the cab.

As well as Vauxhalls full commercial vehicle range, the Luton-based manufacturer is also celebrating its sponsorship of Home Nations football, so fans should stop by the show stand for their chance to see some special guests from the international football community alongside Vauxhalls van range.

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Vauxhall Vans At The CV Show

With organizers intent on making it an annual occurrence, May marks the inaugural recognition of National Mobility Awareness Month.

Spearheaded by the National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) and OEMs such as Toyota and Chrysler – along with aftermarket custom conversion vendors and dealers – the goal is to draw more attention to the benefits of wheelchair-accessible vehicles and the numerous other driver and rider modifications that are now available to improve the quality of life for military veterans, senior citizens and anyone else with a disability.

Dave Hubbard, NMEDAs director (the acronym is pronounced nu MEED ah), encourages aftermarket businesses to contact your local media outlets with promotional statements of support to help spread the word. Additional information is available at www.mobilityawarenessmonth.com and www.nmeda.org.

As the baby boomer generation shifts into retirement age and beyond, and some of them are now caring for elderly parents as well, the field of vehicle mobility conversions – at both the manufacturer and installer/repairer levels – continues to grow amid a need for adopting to a world that keeps moving while trying to maintain ones sense of independence.

The first time I got behind the wheel of my new van, a feeling of freedom and liberation came over me, says Mike Savicki, a quadriplegic triathlete who is serving as this years official National Mobility Awareness Month spokesman.

It was as if my disability was just stripped away. I felt free again. I was free again. I could explore, travel and live on my own all over again. That van gave me mobility, and it gave me the self-confidence I never thought Id experience again, reports Savicki, a freelance sports journalist, disability advocate and small business entrepreneur.

In 1990 he suffered a diving-related severe spinal cord injury while in flight school to become an F-14 pilot. Since the life-altering accident, hes won 69 gold medals in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games and has become the only person to finish the Boston Marathon both on foot and in a wheelchair; he has completed the race 18 times in the past 22 years.

Sure, I knew there would be challenges after my accident, but it never stopped me from pursuing my passions. I got involved with this awareness project because Ive been celebrating mobility for the greater part of my life, and I wish the world would join me, even if only for a month, Savicki says.

More than 18 million people in the U.S. and Canada have mobility issues, says Reid Bigland, head of U.S. sales for Chrysler, which has donated a 2012 Town & Country minivan specially outfitted by Braun Corp., a supplier of wheelchair-accessible vans, ramps, wheelchair lifts and related equipment.

The contribution is being used to help promote National Mobility Awareness Month and will serve as one of three prizes to be awarded to a trio of winners in a Local Heroes contest being conducted by NMEDA.

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Conversion vehicles meet more needs among aging population