Comments on: Is a natural gas car revolution coming in the U.S.?

By: Dave Mackey

Dave Mackey — Mon, 06 Aug 2012 02:48:38 +0000

What is the difference between natural gas and the gas we use right now? Due to the concerns about fracking, does it make sense to support a natural gas movement? Is natural gas viable in the long-term, or another stop gap measure that will eventually also need to be replaced? Will prices match those of regular gas once the market demand for natural gas cars increase?

By: wmmerus

wmmerus — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 15:00:19 +0000

This most definitely will not be the case. The push in racing has been electric motors and the race track is where new tech is developed to trickle down to consumers. Save the nat gas for general power use. Internal combustion engines using gasoline, nat gas or otherwise are obsolete.

By: David

David — Thu, 26 Jul 2012 13:00:58 +0000

I looked into starting a conversion business and fueling station. Quite frankly it is far too expensive to get going and it doesn’t make much sense for normal consumers. It seems aobut where solar is now, just on the verge. Regulations are also a little silly. The California CARB laws that 16 states have adopted don’t allow bi-fuel engines at the present. That is a huge hit as I feel that until the infrastructure is built out you need bi-fuel.

Electric vehicles are the way to go and use CNG for fleets and power plants.

By: energyloadcalc

energyloadcalc — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 18:56:47 +0000

I would think that hybrids/battery cars would be a more likely candidate. They've already got their foot in the door, I'm seeing more Volts on the road lately. Energy Load Calc

By: Koen

Koen — Thu, 19 Jul 2012 07:37:37 +0000

“Shale gas simply isn’t a climate-friendly fuel, even compared to coal and oil.” http://www.treehugger.com/fossil-fuels/rupert-murdoch-needs-some-schooling-shale-gas-climate-change.html

By: Felix Hoenikker

Felix Hoenikker — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 22:24:16 +0000

Depends on the compression rate and psi of ur tanks. But generally speaking yes it takes forever. Additionally even at 3600psi the tank is substantially big, takes up most of your trunk in the Honda civic nat gas. Which doesn’t bode well for trucking as space is already a premium.

By: JJ Butler

JJ Butler — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 21:00:43 +0000

Natural gas for personal vehicles is not coming stateside in meaningful numbers. The infastructure does not exists. Did you know it take forever to fill a NGV? The growth will be in fleets and regional trucking.

By: Felix Hoenikker

Felix Hoenikker — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 19:50:58 +0000

Cost is the big issue, delivered natural gas as a transportation fuel isn’t always cheaper. Especially if the gas and oil spread closes for a number of reasons. Additionally, well to wheel, gas isn’t necessarily clearner due to the emissions from compression. Plus its still combustion, not really “new” technology. Not terribly excited at the prospect of supporting fracking…not so cleantech.

By: twospruces

twospruces — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 17:55:23 +0000

makes more sense to use the distribution methods we have(electricity) and continue to focus on (1) how to generate (2) how to store (3) how to make electric transportation happen.
Centralized natural gas electricity generation is a perfectly good use of NG.

By: sinithwar

sinithwar — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 15:58:07 +0000

This makes me happy because of the article I just wrote.