CBI gets green light for hybrid conversion facilities

Cal-Bay International, Inc. (CBI) has been approved to develop five West Coast commercial vehicle hybridization installation centers.

CBI received the “green light” for the construction of the centers from the California-based hybridization company, who awarded CBI their first hybridization retrofit agreement with a state trucking company. The 150 big-rig vehicle fleet performs long-haul transportation services that cover more than 600 million miles annually. The contract is for the installation of the ”Hydrogen Fuel Assist” (HFA) equipment on the entire big-rig fleet.

“We have been working with the hybridization company for several months on this project, and it is now coming to fruition. CBI will immediately begin locating appropriate California, Arizona and Nevada locations for the installation centers,” says Melinda Rice, acting CBI president. “The geographic locations are based on the requirements submitted by the 'HFA' company, who specified their goal is to have at least two Southern California centers fully operational before the end of 2008. The 'HFA' company is currently in negotiations with other fleet operators who have shown a definite interest in the hybridization retrofit equipment. At this time, CBI-approved construction of the hybridization centers is specifically for the installation of commercial vehicle diesel engine retrofit conversion units.”

The hybridization company further maintains using its HFA conversion units and additive program, which does not infringe the manufacturer’s warranty and adds a bonding solution to the instrumental moving engine components, ensures longer engine life. The use of the HFA products can reduce emissions in excess of 40 percent over conventional diesel fuel, the company says.