Europe Eyes Natural-Gas Alternative

TRAVERSE CITY, MI – In big European cities, “diesel is over,” says Jose Maria Alapont, chairman, president and CEO of supplier Federal-Mogul Corp.

Big trucks and buses are switching to compressed natural gas, which is plentiful, he says at the Management Briefing Seminars here.

His observations punctuate a panel debate on hybrids and powertrain development, and whether the onus should fall to industry or government to sway consumer tastes.

The debate should not be gasoline vs. diesel engines, Alapont corrects. It should include natural gas.