CSA opens new lab to address growing market for environmentally friendly vehicles
CSA Group, a global provider of testing and certification services and leading standards development organization, has opened a new laboratory for the testing and certification of high pressure fuel systems and related components used on-board low and zero emission vehicles, located in Langley, B.C., Canada.
The new lab addresses a growing market for environmentally friendly vehicles and the resulting infrastructure that will accompany the shift to alternative fuel sources such as hydrogen and compressed natural gas.
Alternative fuel vehicles usually refer to vehicles that do not use traditional petroleum-based products such as gasoline and diesel.
The Canadian government has committed to bringing emission standards in line with the standards in the United States. In order to meet this goal, the government is evaluating a number of alternative fuel source vehicles and will be introducing increasing stringent greenhouse gas emission standards.
“CSA Group is proud to encourage the adoption of new technologies that promote sustainable living, and our new laboratory in Langley will help introduce new infrastructure and sustainable products to people across North America and globally,” said Magali Depras, chief operating officer.
The new laboratory and office is 1,800 square meters and provides contract testing services to all national and international standards and regulations worldwide related to high pressure fuel and fueling systems, allowing for access to North American and global markets.
It specializes in the testing and certification of fuel storage systems and fueling station components for vehicles powered by alternative fuels. These fuel systems include compressed hydrogen for fuel cell electric vehicles, as well as compressed natural gas (CNG), liquefied natural gas (LNG), and liquefied petroleum gas.
The test facility is also equipped to perform customized tests to validate the safety and lifetime endurance of low emission and zero emission alternative fuel vehicles including crush, penetration, fire and fuel ignition testing. The laboratory also provides technical information services advising on alternative vehicle safety codes, standards and regulatory compliance and offers failure investigation services related to safety incidents.
