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Tough Trucking For Natural Gas Vehicles: Can They Make It In The Long Haul?

Forbes -- A vast abundance of American natural gas resources, now accessible thanks to “fracking”, affords a tantalizingly large and economically-competitive new automotive fuel opportunity. While not perfect, which almost nothing ever is, its utilization, both for heavy-duty transport and for family vehicles, can potentially afford real economies.

Right now, the largest impediment is a “chicken v. egg” conundrum. Market demand for the vehicles will hinge upon creating a satisfactory refueling infrastructure, which, in turn, must be justified by market demand. Can such development occur incrementally in the marketplace of free enterprise? If it truly makes practical sense, I believe it can…and should.

First, let’s take a closer look at the present situation.

There are two natural gas fuel options

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Submitted Nov 28, 2012 By: skb69sa

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spiderjay Champion Author Little Rock Posts:4,773 Points:1,282,235 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 5:35:12 PM Ignore spiderjay Report Abuse dont see it
fuel2use Champion Author Seattle Posts:3,497 Points:734,555 Joined:Dec 2010	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 11:01:18 AM Ignore fuel2use Report Abuse Good information.
BigTruc All-Star Author Memphis Posts:966 Points:783,345 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 10:51:26 AM Ignore BigTruc Report Abuse WE need to use Natural Gas for transportation.
fora_7 All-Star Author Montreal Posts:872 Points:208,455 Joined:Sep 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 8:37:39 AM Ignore fora_7 Report Abuse What about winter problems, with snow and cold weather???
tbgasmizer Champion Author Ontario Posts:6,053 Points:1,230,620 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 7:47:51 AM Ignore tbgasmizer Report Abuse The cost to convert to natural gas is very little but they charge an exorbitant amount to convert over.
zwsn01 All-Star Author Alabama Posts:691 Points:442,775 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 7:29:34 AM Ignore zwsn01 Report Abuse I'm ready. Put one of those CNG stations near my house and I'm converting.
bell05 Champion Author Atlanta Posts:9,270 Points:1,879,535 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 7:01:49 AM Ignore bell05 Report Abuse I don't know enough about this.
2khawk Champion Author Iowa Posts:5,276 Points:930,950 Joined:Oct 2010	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:39:52 AM Ignore 2khawk Report Abuse At almost $4.00 per thousand therms it is not so affordable.
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:6,425 Points:1,299,345 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:35:51 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse CNG/LNG is a more practical energy source than EV and hybrid alternatives.
calripken_8 Champion Author Virginia Posts:2,916 Points:662,115 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:33:44 AM Ignore calripken_8 Report Abuse Natural gas has a better chance to succeed than electric, doesn't take 4 hours to refill a CNG vehicle.
JimL1 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:8,222 Points:1,243,395 Joined:Jul 2003	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:33:41 AM Ignore JimL1 Report Abuse We shall see. Which way is Warren betting?
skanytank Champion Author Kentucky Posts:1,261 Points:562,050 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:33:28 AM Ignore skanytank Report Abuse Conversion expense will decrease...just not yet...just saying...
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,751 Points:1,719,895 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:32:33 AM Ignore lindact Report Abuse Biilding infrastructure is always initially expensive.
GasholeMI Champion Author Lansing Posts:10,154 Points:1,721,215 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:32:14 AM Ignore GasholeMI Report Abuse Much better chance with nat gas than electric.
red5529 Champion Author Alabama Posts:4,274 Points:1,461,835 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:31:04 AM Ignore red5529 Report Abuse ok
RangerBob58 Champion Author Dayton Posts:3,132 Points:665,675 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:30:43 AM Ignore RangerBob58 Report Abuse OK
turbosaab Champion Author Cleveland Posts:19,009 Points:2,339,320 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:29:04 AM Ignore turbosaab Report Abuse The conversion is too expensive.
bladecutter Champion Author Houston Posts:4,871 Points:987,000 Joined:Nov 2009	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:27:18 AM Ignore bladecutter Report Abuse Lets settle on one and get on with it.
jwalkerh Champion Author Louisiana Posts:6,145 Points:1,369,580 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:25:52 AM Ignore jwalkerh Report Abuse It can be done.
Tru2psu2 Champion Author Winston-Salem Posts:14,486 Points:1,557,580 Joined:Feb 2004	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:25:16 AM Ignore Tru2psu2 Report Abuse We'll see...
alwaysridin88 Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,456 Points:568,425 Joined:Jul 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:25:12 AM Ignore alwaysridin88 Report Abuse Will offer trucks at $11,000 options? This will negate a significant amount of savings on gas.
The3rd Champion Author Jacksonville Posts:2,876 Points:828,435 Joined:Jul 2004	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:25:08 AM Ignore The3rd Report Abuse The almighty dollar will sort this out.
marinedad1949 Champion Author Lancaster Posts:2,506 Points:506,370 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:25:05 AM Ignore marinedad1949 Report Abuse Interesting article that is sure to stir some heated debate!
Tegger Champion Author Ontario Posts:3,138 Points:1,649,435 Joined:Nov 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:23:37 AM Ignore Tegger Report Abuse Hadn't thought about CNG trucks before. Interesting
biza4u Champion Author New Haven Posts:8,538 Points:1,630,825 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:23:31 AM Ignore biza4u Report Abuse At some point greed will kick in and raise the costs
cwashi3324 Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:2,812 Points:575,240 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:22:37 AM Ignore cwashi3324 Report Abuse Unfortunately, there will always be a 'demand' for oil.
racerdj Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:9,830 Points:2,059,500 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:22:29 AM Ignore racerdj Report Abuse Refueling stations have to be in place before buyers will buy the trucks. This is an area where Government money will work and have paybacks.
CarpenterNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:1,252 Points:514,715 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:21:54 AM Ignore CarpenterNJ Report Abuse NYC taxis sounds like a plan.
Heltonw Champion Author Montana Posts:3,324 Points:1,662,290 Joined:Dec 2007	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:21:26 AM Ignore Heltonw Report Abuse Supply and demand.
Lukus Champion Author Halifax Posts:8,299 Points:1,677,455 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:20:37 AM Ignore Lukus Report Abuse Let them start with taxi fleets in New York first. That will give natural gas vehicles a good trial.
packards42 Champion Author Washington Posts:6,452 Points:1,130,340 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:20:05 AM Ignore packards42 Report Abuse yes, we need to make it happen we spending 1-.6 trillion in give a ways anyway, let put in natural intrastructurs.
yakstar Champion Author Montreal Posts:2,435 Points:482,570 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:19:56 AM Ignore yakstar Report Abuse just make natural gas affordable...
nugney Champion Author Atlanta Posts:2,941 Points:2,033,515 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:19:46 AM Ignore nugney Report Abuse ok
HA4CNN Champion Author Toronto Posts:5,639 Points:1,546,415 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:19:29 AM Ignore HA4CNN Report Abuse Produce enough natural gas vehicles and some one will fill the need for refueling stations.
NDQ Champion Author Maryland Posts:2,001 Points:392,330 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:19:05 AM Ignore NDQ Report Abuse good
bikechuck Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,026 Points:2,066,045 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:18:50 AM Ignore bikechuck Report Abuse The premium paid for CNG and LNG vehicles cannot be made up by gasoline savings. Toyota has figured this out but Obama's administration still touts the all electric car and this has been a failure. Again get government out of the way.
exd121 Champion Author Ottawa Posts:1,832 Points:467,425 Joined:Sep 2010	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:17:23 AM Ignore exd121 Report Abuse ok
ncclyde Champion Author Charlotte Posts:15,244 Points:2,406,190 Joined:Dec 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:15:30 AM Ignore ncclyde Report Abuse same issues they had back in the 70s, which is why it never took off then.
cherican Champion Author Ontario Posts:2,600 Points:1,067,135 Joined:May 2003	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:13:51 AM Ignore cherican Report Abuse Difficult situation. People won't buy unless there's enough fuel and business won't supply enough until there are enough customers. My guess is this -- it's not going to fly do to unwillingness on both sides.
Valricoslash Champion Author Tampa Posts:6,709 Points:1,356,150 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:13:20 AM Ignore Valricoslash Report Abuse I have been saying this for the last few years. without a netowrk of fueling stations you will not be selling very many CNG vehicles. Of course without a mrket for the CNG they will not be developing the netowrk. Here is one place wher governmetn interference may prove usefule, by directing the gas and oil industry to develop the network to be completed withing the next five years. Then CNG vehicle production will take off and probably surpass standard gasoline engines and hybrids.
swede Champion Author Cleveland Posts:3,782 Points:1,678,925 Joined:Feb 2003	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:13:14 AM Ignore swede Report Abuse We just need to expand the number of nat gas filling stations across the country.
bumpygas Champion Author Nebraska Posts:8,140 Points:1,903,035 Joined:Oct 2007	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:13:00 AM Ignore bumpygas Report Abuse Don't look for the natural gas autos to be very popular until the auto makers stop gouging the consumer for building an engine that runs on natural gas just to fill their own pockets. Just look at what they have been doing to the electric powered car.
beohbeNJ Champion Author New Jersey Posts:2,062 Points:537,355 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:12:36 AM Ignore beohbeNJ Report Abuse Meh!
silverfoxv65 Champion Author Michigan Posts:4,495 Points:1,232,825 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:11:51 AM Ignore silverfoxv65 Report Abuse Prices make a big difference.
harleydoctor Champion Author Kansas Posts:7,360 Points:1,931,510 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:11:44 AM Ignore harleydoctor Report Abuse Obama will fight this trend, he still wants algae fuel.....fool.
Costello Champion Author South Dakota Posts:1,421 Points:1,156,390 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:11:11 AM Ignore Costello Report Abuse Need to find ways tomake it work...
Marson Champion Author Scranton Posts:8,962 Points:2,081,085 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:09:56 AM Ignore Marson Report Abuse Natural gas will flourish as a motor fuel.
rtw777 Champion Author Florida Posts:9,411 Points:1,844,920 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:08:21 AM Ignore rtw777 Report Abuse Just trying to make things difficult.
Ringmaster2008 Champion Author Ontario Posts:7,593 Points:1,165,960 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:08:02 AM Ignore Ringmaster2008 Report Abuse Wait and see
gman617 All-Star Author Illinois Posts:998 Points:273,400 Joined:Jul 2012	Message Posted: Nov 28, 2012 6:07:34 AM Ignore gman617 Report Abuse ok