CFAO Makes Presentation on CNG-Powered Bus, Truck to NADDC, PCNGi at NAJA Workshop 

Bennett  Oghifo

CFAO Equipment, a subsidiary of CFAO Nigeria, has made a powerful appearance and presentation at a training workshop held recently in Lagos on alternative fuel. The company made  presentations on two Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powered products it distributes in Nigeria -the King Long bus and the Sinotruk Howo truck.

Aside from the automotive journalists, in attendance were the Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Michael Oluwagbemi, Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) and the Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), who were ably represented.

Organised by the Nigeria Auto Journalists Association (NAJA), the theme for this year workshop was ‘CNG/LPG/EV Initiative: Challenges, Sustainability, Opportunities, Alternatives to Fossil Fuels in Nigeria’.

Making the company’s presentation, the Sales Manager, CFAO Equipment, Mr. Caleb Bamidele, stated that the CNG-Powered vehicles are cost effective and environment friendly.

The 7-metre King Long CNG bus is aimed at reducing the financial strain on transporters and commuters, while also offering an environmentally friendly solution, he explained.

The King Long bus, equipped with four 80-litre CNG cylinders, ensures ample fuel capacity and reducing the need for frequent refills—a significant step forward in Nigeria’s efforts to lower transportation costs. With a spacious 25+1 passenger capacity, the bus is ideal for various transportation needs, including commercial transport, school shuttles, and staff buses.

Moreover, the bus’s top-mounted 12kW air conditioning system ensures that passengers travel in comfort. Added features like a rearview camera enhance the overall safety and ease of operations for drivers.

The King Long bus is powered by a YC4D140N-50 engine that complies with Euro V emission standards, offering both fuel efficiency and lower emissions. This ensures that bus owners can save on fuel costs while helping to reduce the harmful pollution associated with traditional petrol and diesel engines.

Designed with a Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) of 7,000 kg, the bus is suitable for city and inter-city travel, making it a versatile option for both private and public transport services in Nigeria. It comes with a warranty of 12 months or 100,000 kilometres, whichever comes first, underscoring CFAO’s commitment to providing reliable solutions for Nigerian roads.

The Sales Manager also made a presentation on the CNG-Powered Sinotruk Howo truck, explaining that the Howo N CNG tractor is built tough to withstand the challenging terrain in construction, logistics and other businesses in the different topography of the country.

It comes with a Sinotruk MAN, gas engine, carrying a 6 cylinder in-line system with water cooling, turbo-charging and inter cooling. Its rated output is 430hp (316Kw) at 1900 rpm, offering a maximum torque of 2100Nm at 1000~1400 rpm.

Other salient features of the dynamic engine include- Air compressor: Germany WABCO brand; Supercharger: American Cummins brand; Cylinder block: Germany MAN brand; Oxygen sensor: Japan NTK brand; and Inter-cooler; and Radiator: Germany Behr.

Also, it comes with a Single- plate dry diaphragm spring clutch of 430 mm in diametre, hydraulically operating with air assistance. Its transmission model HW19710, has 10 forward and 2 reverse.

On display at the event was the King Long bus, which was inspected by both officials of the NADDC and the PCNGi.

CFAO Equipment Nigeria is ensuring that spare parts and after-sales services are readily available across its nationwide network, offering operators peace of mind in maintaining their buses. By adopting this solution, transporters can gain a financial advantage by switching to CNG, especially in light of the continued volatility in petrol prices.