Safe for transportation?

Yes, natural gas vehicles or NGVs, must meet the strictest of safety standards. The vehicles, fuel systems, conversion companies, and tank manufacturers must each meet separate government regulated guidelines and codes to sell in the market place.

Compared to gasoline

The fuel itself, is safer than traditional gasoline in many ways. 1) Natural gas is lighter than air. This means, in the case of accident and gas is released, natural gas will disperse into the atmosphere, where gasoline will collect and spread on the ground. 2) Natural gas has a higher ignition temperature than gasoline, which means it takes higher temperatures to start a flame. 3) Last the tanks must withstand extreme tests against dynamite, gunfire, bonfires and others that would destroy a normal gasoline tank.

More Safety

To learn more specifically about regulations and safety guides, visit Department of Transportation or check out our links pages for others sources.

Availability

Natural gas is drilled from wells or extracted from crude oil production. This fuel powers about one quarter of the United States energy usage, of that less than one percent goes toward transportation. America has also set up a vast natural gas distribution system that stretches coast to coast and boarder to boarder. This system delivers gas economically and quickly to almost all 48 states in the continental US. Sources have indicated that America owns roughly 2,074 Tcf (trillion cubic feet) of natural gas, which is more than a 100 year supply.

There are about 12,000 fueling stations across global roads, but only about 1,100 on U.S. roadways. However many initiatives are in place to expand infrastructure, such as the  Texas Clean Transportation Triangle, Atlanta, Georgia’s new CNG Infrastructure plan and the existing infrastructure established in the West, demonstrates that infrastructure is on the rise and so is demand.

American

Eighty to ninety percent of the natural gas used in the U.S. is found here in America. This helps promote America’s energy independence from the reliance on foreign fuels. Only 3 percent of US natural gas consumption comes from sources other than America, compared to oil imports. The US imports more than 50 percent of its oil from foreign oil, greatly hindering America’s energy independence.

Affordable

CNG is much cheaper than gasoline or diesel, in most cases half as much, in others as much as 80 percent less, depending on the station and state. Natural gas costs range from 20-40 percent less than crude oil on an energy-equivalent basis. Fleet owners will experience the greatest savings.  A May 2012 Wall Street Journal article stated that Waste Management will convert trucks over the next five years to natural gas at a cost of $30,000 per truck. These vehicles will save $27,000 each year in fuel costs compared to diesel.

Greener

Natural gas produces far less emissions than engines running on petroleum based fuels. NGVs emits 25 percent less CO2 than vehicles that run on traditional gasoline or diesel. Natural gas is also available in renewable forms such as methane from landfills, stranded gas wells, agricultural operations, and new emerging

methods that can be converted to clean natural gas. NGVs also make it much easier to meet stringent EPA standards.

Other benefits

Easy fill-up- Just as fast and easy as gasoline or diesel

Government support- Federal & state incentives

Extended vehicle life by up to 50,000 miles

Reduced maintenance