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Natural gas vehicles making inroads; sales rising

St Louis Post Dispatch -- Ford Motor Co. said Tuesday it sold a record 11,600 natural gas vehicles last year, more than four times the number it sold two years ago.

It's the latest sign that natural gas is making inroads as a transportation fuel, particularly for truck fleets, buses and taxis. The consumer market is tougher to crack, but sales are gaining there as well.

But while natural gas may be a good choice for snow plows and trash trucks, which go relatively short distances and can refuel at city-owned pumps, it's a tougher call for ordinary consumers. Natural gas cars cost more and there are few public places to refuel them. Those issues need to be addressed if the vehicles are to significantly boost their share of the auto market, which is currently less than 1 percent.

General Motors Co. and Chrysler Gr

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Submitted Mar 06, 2013 By: bar1035

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honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 11, 2013 5:57:49 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse we may have lots of NG, but like oil, it will get harder and harder to produce. All booms come to a bust eventually.
honda0105 Champion Author Tallahassee Posts:18,599 Points:1,607,570 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 10, 2013 8:26:06 AM Ignore honda0105 Report Abuse rjr: it could be. But then, it could be we're running out of clean drinking water well before that.
rjr54 Champion Author Winnipeg Posts:1,110 Points:394,395 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 11:28:46 PM Ignore rjr54 Report Abuse I think that 20 years form now most cars will be CNG.
OriginalBudman Champion Author Barrie Posts:11,070 Points:2,247,580 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 8:17:22 PM Ignore OriginalBudman Report Abuse Me too.
gravityhurts Champion Author North Carolina Posts:4,083 Points:935,555 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 7:17:33 AM Ignore gravityhurts Report Abuse I've been saying it for two years. CNG is the fuel of the future.
blupupher Champion Author Houston Posts:3,540 Points:746,095 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 6:38:22 AM Ignore blupupher Report Abuse I agree with Mac48. CNG/Gasoline hybrids are how to get CNG out there. No range anxiety on CNG since you have gasoline backup.
MAC48 Champion Author Dallas Posts:1,546 Points:764,970 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 12:43:06 AM Ignore MAC48 Report Abuse The key to the consumer vehicle market for GM, Ford and Chrysler is to produce bifuel (CNG/Gasoline) engines capable of running on either compressed natural gas or gasoline. All three Detroit automakers are currently producing a bifuel 3/4 to pickup and if these pickups sell well you will see the bifuel concept spread to vans and SUVS. Go to cng.com to find out where commercial retial CNG fueling stations are located in your area.
bvrbill Champion Author Eugene Posts:3,207 Points:516,800 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 12:19:33 AM Ignore bvrbill Report Abuse Keep working on the technology. It's a better alternative than electric vehicles.
jimpricehunter Sophomore Author Dallas Posts:242 Points:148,235 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 12:05:05 AM Ignore jimpricehunter Report Abuse The article says,"...while natural gas may be a good choice for snow plows and trash trucks, which go relatively short distances and can refuel at city-owned pumps, it's a tougher call for ordinary consumers." Yes, and what about vehicles exploding and burning up at the pumping facilities. Those pumping facilities have to meet strict standards and the man at the pump must be licensed according to strict standards, but drivers sometime make very foolish mistakes. I've seen a few of them and the result is always DISASTEROUS!
mamabeck Champion Author Florida Posts:1,640 Points:360,835 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 12:01:30 AM Ignore mamabeck Report Abuse Great concept without support. Maybe in a few years but not practical now.
pv2004 Veteran Author Connecticut Posts:411 Points:338,540 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 12:01:19 AM Ignore pv2004 Report Abuse whoa
wcp3rd All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:724 Points:360,425 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 12:00:49 AM Ignore wcp3rd Report Abuse ok
Holly123 Champion Author Charlotte Posts:3,192 Points:788,260 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:59:43 PM Ignore Holly123 Report Abuse Ok
clermont40miles Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:10,562 Points:1,770,920 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:58:55 PM Ignore clermont40miles Report Abuse Good to see this movement. Now we need to see fuel readily available.
ldiggy All-Star Author Wilmington Posts:768 Points:287,685 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:57:46 PM Ignore ldiggy Report Abuse Ok.
Math6149 All-Star Author Jacksonville Posts:873 Points:1,794,625 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:57:21 PM Ignore Math6149 Report Abuse Show me one and obama wil buy it for me, right daddy?
brprven All-Star Author Dallas Posts:644 Points:284,135 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:54:17 PM Ignore brprven Report Abuse great now that will go up too
grt197 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:568 Points:124,610 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:53:32 PM Ignore grt197 Report Abuse ok
CCLighthouse All-Star Author Hartford Posts:998 Points:212,055 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:52:41 PM Ignore CCLighthouse Report Abuse People maybe concerned about if they can do the same kind of trip taking without worrying about fueling stations.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,795 Points:412,265 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:50:50 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse And what do you call gasoline, @wayoung56? If the gasoline engine were invented today, it would never meet safety certification. If CNG vehicles are on the road, it means that they are safe.
prassu2012 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:671 Points:146,970 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:48:57 PM Ignore prassu2012 Report Abuse what about fuel
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,795 Points:412,265 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:48:48 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse Tell me @FlogNut, exactly how many people take long, cross-country trips in a given year? People like the idea of being able to hop in the car and drive 2,000 miles on a whim but how many really do? It's kinda like SUV drivers that NEVER take their vehicles off-road.
Topless2012 Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:2,422 Points:479,115 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:47:37 PM Ignore Topless2012 Report Abuse Use them for delivery work...
southrob Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,590 Points:686,225 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:47:19 PM Ignore southrob Report Abuse dhan
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,795 Points:412,265 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:46:55 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse There's nowhere near enough CNG powered vehicles on the road to make a dent in natural gas supplies. There's only 250,000 vehicles on the road with 40,000 per year coming off assembly lines. That leaves us at least six years to double the number of CNG cars on the road. Meanwhile, Toyota has already built over 1 million Toyota Prius hybrids with plenty more on the way. CNG will take a long while to catch up.
WIWalt Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,724 Points:414,755 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:44:12 PM Ignore WIWalt Report Abuse Best kept for city & short haul fleets that have access to fueling
Ready Eddie Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:5,766 Points:1,341,795 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:44:09 PM Ignore Ready Eddie Report Abuse This is good news...Late but still good.
mrbee Champion Author Little Rock Posts:3,748 Points:2,464,635 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:43:40 PM Ignore mrbee Report Abuse Glad to hear this.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,795 Points:412,265 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:42:50 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse CNG is a "chicken or the egg" problem, @OuttaOfGAS. Gas stations won't put in CNG pumps until there are enough cars out there to buy CNG. Of course, drivers won't buy CNG cars until they can fill up everywhere.
Trudat316 Veteran Author Missouri Posts:323 Points:54,290 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:42:32 PM Ignore Trudat316 Report Abuse Great news!
GigHarborHound Champion Author Tacoma Posts:2,527 Points:486,540 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:42:15 PM Ignore GigHarborHound Report Abuse Good
Is246 Champion Author Albuquerque Posts:1,013 Points:426,265 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:41:39 PM Ignore Is246 Report Abuse Industry really needs to support this so that oil and gas prices will drop.
Aviator_Rob Champion Author New York Posts:3,795 Points:412,265 Joined:Mar 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:40:35 PM Ignore Aviator_Rob Report Abuse To answer @snagged's question. I think the lion's share of the increased cost of a CNG vehicle is the fuel tank. Natural gas needs to be compressed under high pressure in order to get the 200 mile range of these vehicles. That requires either high strength steel or carbon fiber storage tanks, both of which cost a lot to produce.
HailstormCA Champion Author San Diego Posts:7,845 Points:1,470,070 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:38:22 PM Ignore HailstormCA Report Abuse I actually hope I live long enough to afford the transaction.
snerd All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:935 Points:653,900 Joined:May 2005	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:32:25 PM Ignore snerd Report Abuse Great!
hank1326 Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:8,909 Points:1,732,085 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:31:44 PM Ignore hank1326 Report Abuse Ford is my hero!
dasimon All-Star Author Florida Posts:556 Points:573,050 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:29:33 PM Ignore dasimon Report Abuse Ok
car253 Champion Author Ohio Posts:6,288 Points:1,467,645 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:27:22 PM Ignore car253 Report Abuse Not ready for prime time.
snagged Veteran Author Akron Posts:396 Points:110,830 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:27:11 PM Ignore snagged Report Abuse Why does it cost so much more to build a nat gas car?
CaliberMan71 All-Star Author Ohio Posts:519 Points:188,225 Joined:Mar 2007	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:27:08 PM Ignore CaliberMan71 Report Abuse When can we the consumer buy them? Why does it take so darn long for anything to become reality!!!
gasmack Champion Author Ventura Posts:1,705 Points:666,550 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:26:37 PM Ignore gasmack Report Abuse Build out the CNG infrastructure--auto sales will increase dramatically.
OuttaOfGAS Veteran Author Illinois Posts:427 Points:119,440 Joined:Dec 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:26:25 PM Ignore OuttaOfGAS Report Abuse Coming soon near you...WHEN? there isn't enough stations where you can Natural UP.
SavALot Champion Author Virginia Beach Posts:8,464 Points:1,709,885 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:25:44 PM Ignore SavALot Report Abuse but for who's benefit?
Trowinsamoan Champion Author Los Angeles Posts:1,147 Points:184,890 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:23:52 PM Ignore Trowinsamoan Report Abuse Not going to happen
DEG Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:17,615 Points:3,493,730 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:19:44 PM Ignore DEG Report Abuse Probably a mistake. Since natural gas is used for home heating and electricity generation; a big move to natural gas for vehicles will most likely drive up the costs for electricity and for home heating.
ScottTee Champion Author Detroit Posts:4,381 Points:1,061,645 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:18:41 PM Ignore ScottTee Report Abuse Just pass the Natural Gas Act
pgerassi Champion Author Milwaukee Posts:10,891 Points:2,130,630 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:16:54 PM Ignore pgerassi Report Abuse GOOD.
FlogNut Champion Author Chicago Posts:104,305 Points:1,986,700 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:16:05 PM Ignore FlogNut Report Abuse Even more vehicles that aren't yet ready for prime time! Try and take this on a cross-country road trip! Good luck finding a filling station that can service you.
Gas4Gore Champion Author Detroit Posts:2,411 Points:421,925 Joined:Jan 2010	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:14:46 PM Ignore Gas4Gore Report Abuse What sells more, the Ford natural gas cars or the GM Volt, hummmm.
carloco75 Champion Author Richmond Posts:3,711 Points:599,390 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 11:13:45 PM Ignore carloco75 Report Abuse Chrystler too..