GasBuddy News Article

votes

Natural gas the clean, cheap option for cars

Wyoming News -- CHEYENNE -- Imagine a vehicle that emits 30 percent less emissions and costs a third less at the pump.

The technology is available. Natural gas already heats about 60 million U.S. homes. More than 150,000 natural-gas-powered vehicles already traverse the nation's roadways.

The average fueling station can't accommodate a natural-gas vehicle, but that could change if more consumers demand cleaner alternatives, said Randy Teeuwen, community relations advisor for EnCana Oil and Gas.

Read the Full Article

Submitted Jul 02, 2009 By: GM

Category: Daily News Article Discussions > Topics	Add to favorite topics Post New Topic

Author	Topic: Natural gas the clean, cheap option for cars	Post a Reply Back to Topics

REPLIES (newest first)

First Prev

Last

CISA All-Star Author Orange County Posts:830 Points:481,680 Joined:Dec 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 2:17:50 PM Ignore CISA Report Abuse Nat gas is a solution for fleet vehicles. The US has, even if demand were to double tomorrow, at least 50 yrs of proven reserves. Horizontal drilling makes tapping marginal areas profitable. Re: CAP & TRADE-- WRITE, don't email, your two Senators regardless of party ASAP telling them to oppose Cap & Trade in ANY form.
papou Champion Author Tampa Posts:4,868 Points:755,000 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 2:15:12 PM Ignore papou Report Abuse who said natural gas is cheap I heat wit it its high !
pecos Champion Author Columbus Posts:2,740 Points:1,039,770 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 2:13:52 PM Ignore pecos Report Abuse The price won't stay down if that is what we use.
rxman1 Champion Author Toledo Posts:2,804 Points:633,975 Joined:Nov 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 2:13:29 PM Ignore rxman1 Report Abuse When Cap and Trade passes we will all be paying more. That is if we still have jobs.
FlyNFool Champion Author South Carolina Posts:2,135 Points:438,295 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 2:11:19 PM Ignore FlyNFool Report Abuse What will the cost be when cap trade is forced down our throats.
Dr Gas All-Star Author Twin Cities Posts:584 Points:140,795 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 2:11:11 PM Ignore Dr Gas Report Abuse This is better than - gas / hybrids / ethanol / battery only powered. The infrastructure is there. Most of us heat our houses with natural gas. It a small matter to get filling stations to dispense this. It's cleaner - for the environmentists, it burns in ICE - no need to invent new parts, just a small modification, and the engines that burn CNG last way longer. That last part might not sound good wight now. But I'm all for CNG cars and the sooner the better. Go Pickens!
jorja13 All-Star Author British Columbia Posts:544 Points:68,185 Joined:Aug 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 2:03:57 PM Ignore jorja13 Report Abuse If natural gas is such a clean fuel, then why are we paying carbon tax on the natural gas we use to heat our house. I also don't believe it will stay cheap if a lot of people start to use it to fuel cars. Last year when gasoline spiked, so did the natural gas we used for heating, and just like gasoline, it hasn't come down nearly as fast or a far as it should have.
Focus2 Champion Author Illinois Posts:3,192 Points:1,005,025 Joined:Mar 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:48:50 PM Ignore Focus2 Report Abuse We have lots of natural gas. Wasn't this the Pickens plan? Right now Congress is influenced by Ethanol to help out the farmer with his corn prices. With no one interested in flooding their desk with letters, they are no smarter than GM and are sticking with ethanol and importing oil from OPEC. The trend for several years to come seen by big oil is better gas mileage efforts and staying with gasoline and the combustion engine. Putting ethanol in your tank is not going to get us better gas mileage and with little savings to crow about.
RLH68 Champion Author Orlando Posts:3,670 Points:717,900 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:45:15 PM Ignore RLH68 Report Abuse Hydrogen emits 0 percent emissions. Beat that!
Cuzilla Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:7,461 Points:1,303,325 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:37:20 PM Ignore Cuzilla Report Abuse Natural gas alternatives have been around a while but people have, so far, have not taken the bait!
kookiwoogi Champion Author Indiana Posts:2,994 Points:1,574,540 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:36:26 PM Ignore kookiwoogi Report Abuse Gas stations will have to change fast if this go over.
EOCSSEABEE All-Star Author Detroit Posts:735 Points:208,520 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:26:33 PM Ignore EOCSSEABEE Report Abuse 150,000 cars, they make it sound like that is a lot. Detroit has a population of 1,000,000. This means that not even a major city can boast it is doing something on the use against oil. Article is well written until you put in into context.
macbeth2012 Champion Author Wisconsin Posts:1,339 Points:230,875 Joined:Jan 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:25:03 PM Ignore macbeth2012 Report Abuse Natural gas prices will spike through the roof, making running your car and heating your house cost prohibitive.
moody4u Champion Author Cincinnati Posts:1,598 Points:304,310 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:23:00 PM Ignore moody4u Report Abuse We should use METHANE !!!!
fizbos Champion Author Maine Posts:1,700 Points:961,485 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:20:41 PM Ignore fizbos Report Abuse Another idea that is far from mass production.
v240 All-Star Author Pennsylvania Posts:531 Points:438,825 Joined:Feb 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:18:55 PM Ignore v240 Report Abuse Can a gasoline engine be modified, or does it have to be replaced ?
MG_Sputnik Champion Author Philadelphia Posts:2,060 Points:762,455 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:18:23 PM Ignore MG_Sputnik Report Abuse Don't see it happening any time soon.
lgwhitlock Champion Author California Posts:1,686 Points:446,300 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:16:16 PM Ignore lgwhitlock Report Abuse While it may be an interesting alternative; consider that we could drive up natural gas prices as we start to use more. To me it seems a questionable long term alternative...
PathfinderSC Champion Author South Carolina Posts:3,087 Points:571,960 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:15:34 PM Ignore PathfinderSC Report Abuse This would be good , But our Congress is not going to like this. They in the bed with OPEC.
nemoFL Champion Author Florida Posts:2,679 Points:389,655 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:15:17 PM Ignore nemoFL Report Abuse just needs to cost a third less at the dealer
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,285 Points:639,530 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:13:23 PM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse That is great but where can you fill up when you go across country on vacation?
Dancin Champion Author Toronto Posts:3,279 Points:1,540,840 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:12:58 PM Ignore Dancin Report Abuse THIS IS ABSOLUTELY THE BEST WAY TO GO.
krell58 Champion Author Missouri Posts:5,792 Points:1,143,705 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:11:33 PM Ignore krell58 Report Abuse Just open the Bakken oil fields.
roadkillGA Champion Author Georgia Posts:3,312 Points:471,025 Joined:Jun 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:09:16 PM Ignore roadkillGA Report Abuse Complain about ethanol but look at natural gas and the ENERGY BILL that will strap us!
georgeo Champion Author California Posts:1,000 Points:36,330 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:08:21 PM Ignore georgeo Report Abuse One more note on electricity as a power source. We do not have to depend on OPEC or any foreign country to fill our power needs. This is our big problem now, we are sending money out of our country and into some petty little dictators pocket. The other problem is that if you want to get to work in the morning you need transportation. If gas prices are too high, you may not be able to go to work.
Tux_Rules Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,631 Points:538,830 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:06:38 PM Ignore Tux_Rules Report Abuse And the price heat your home/office will increase, significantly.
georgeo Champion Author California Posts:1,000 Points:36,330 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:04:25 PM Ignore georgeo Report Abuse Electricity sounds better. You can produce electricity by: Natural gas fired steam turbines Oil fired steam turbines Coal fired steam turbines Nuclear energy fired steam turbines Hydroelectric Geothermal powered Wind mills Solar cells Solar thermal fired steam turbines Fuel cells Wave powered generators and some other methods. Electricity goes to every house, business and parking lot. The distribution method is in place. Service stations only have to get set to either charge batteries or replace them with a modular battery. Why burn a fuel in single vehicles when it more efficient to use the fuels to create electricity on a mass scale.
Lavinia Rookie Author California Posts:72 Points:91,090 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:04:04 PM Ignore Lavinia Report Abuse This is one piece of the puzzel. I can see a future when natural gas plays a bigger part in the car fuel market than it does now. I also see a big future for electric-hybrid vehicles, hydrogen vehicles, compressed air vehicles and electric vehicles. We may see the biggest future though for gasoline powered vehicles that get much better mileage.
Skip928 Champion Author Arizona Posts:1,657 Points:498,765 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:02:58 PM Ignore Skip928 Report Abuse Regardless of the emissions being less, it's a good idea but not yet viable for use. I'm not going green just because some nit thinks I should live like him!
repeater1 Champion Author Kansas Posts:2,008 Points:1,116,675 Joined:Oct 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:01:30 PM Ignore repeater1 Report Abuse Need to have a lot more stations than we currently have in order to make this work. Wonder how far you could get on a tank of natural gas?
Sammy63 Champion Author Riverside Posts:5,816 Points:984,310 Joined:Nov 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 1:01:26 PM Ignore Sammy63 Report Abuse they have not and will never build and and infrastructure ... next
mckellyb Champion Author Fort Worth Posts:5,245 Points:1,001,580 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:59:00 PM Ignore mckellyb Report Abuse Nat gas. Great! Um, little infrastructure, and in order to have a trunk capable of carrying more than 2 grocery bags, we'll all have to drive pickups.
NoSoup4U Sophomore Author Raleigh Posts:163 Points:236,370 Joined:Jul 2007	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:57:48 PM Ignore NoSoup4U Report Abuse Natural gas is a limited resource just like oil. All we'd do is trade high oil prices for high gas prices. The downside: if oil is expensive, people can't afford to drive as much. If natural gas is expensive, many can't afford to heat their homes in the winter. Seems like a bad idea to me.
PAofFA Veteran Author Trenton Posts:318 Points:81,270 Joined:May 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:54:16 PM Ignore PAofFA Report Abuse If natural gas is so plentiful, why is the price rising? Water is the way to go - oxygen+hydrogen+spark = explosion. Byproduct? Water,
dano50 Champion Author Riverside Posts:1,867 Points:409,150 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:54:15 PM Ignore dano50 Report Abuse Why hasn't this been considered more seriously before now?
johnrb Champion Author Michigan Posts:2,641 Points:835,600 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:43:24 PM Ignore johnrb Report Abuse As methane is now considered a global warming gas after CO2, and the exhaust from a CNG vehicle is methane hydrocarbons this will not be considered a clean fuel once the NMHC standard goes away!
Bagtag All-Star Author Georgia Posts:744 Points:725,635 Joined:May 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:39:46 PM Ignore Bagtag Report Abuse Hey Nitehawk, sick that Pitbull, Guvnor Palin on it!
Wesk8 All-Star Author Michigan Posts:526 Points:401,835 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:39:29 PM Ignore Wesk8 Report Abuse A decent first step. But it still relies on a central producer which is easily monopolized. We'll be right back where we started other than cleaner air, which in itself is a good reason to take this first step. We can't predict the future, so let's invent it!
coyoteAB Champion Author Alberta Posts:1,350 Points:80,165 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:39:19 PM Ignore coyoteAB Report Abuse Probably no more dangerous than propane vehicles, cleaner and less emission is the best for everyone. As far as coet, once the tax is put on and there are lots of vehicles on the road, BIG OIL will do the same as they are doing with crude and gasoline right now, ---- RIP US OFF.
The_Nitehawk Rookie Author Alaska Posts:11 Points:5,720 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:37:34 PM Ignore The_Nitehawk Report Abuse There is a huge natural gas supply here in Alaska but they are bickering over the pipeline about what direction that will go and who is going to build it. It is needed NOW not only for the gas itself but for the jobs! However, we still need to work on the electric, hybrid, and hydrogen cars. Those technologies will reap enormous rewards in almost every aspect of our lives in the future.
lindact Champion Author New Haven Posts:2,588 Points:512,735 Joined:May 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:35:12 PM Ignore lindact Report Abuse Viable hope for the future. These kinds of articles are good to read.
Speedy1W1 All-Star Author Madison Posts:578 Points:150,740 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:30:51 PM Ignore Speedy1W1 Report Abuse I want one. Where do I get one from?
chipcheap Rookie Author Los Angeles Posts:80 Points:176,855 Joined:Mar 2009	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:27:09 PM Ignore chipcheap Report Abuse If they build it, there will be buyers.
dieselfreak Champion Author Toronto Posts:1,540 Points:806,025 Joined:Jul 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:26:50 PM Ignore dieselfreak Report Abuse Forget electric cars and hybrid cars. As natural gas continues to grow in supply, and drop in price, I can see it replacing gasoline as the main source of automotive fuel in the not too distant future. There is lots of supply in North America, Central America, and Europe. Right now, there is more natural gas than they know what to do with, and more coming from Shale discoveries all the time. Its the clean, alternative fuel of the future.
stugha Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,143 Points:261,765 Joined:Sep 2006	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:26:13 PM Ignore stugha Report Abuse In europe there are many cars running propane and natuaral gas.
Betsy3266 Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:498 Points:173,765 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:24:19 PM Ignore Betsy3266 Report Abuse I have not seen a natural gas station to fuel up.
bbreff Champion Author Atlanta Posts:3,799 Points:1,366,735 Joined:Jun 2005	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:21:44 PM Ignore bbreff Report Abuse Is ther a cost factor including conversion? What about availability?
jedintheshed All-Star Author Colorado Springs Posts:579 Points:195,015 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:18:34 PM Ignore jedintheshed Report Abuse How much is this going to cost?
hwnguy Champion Author Honolulu Posts:1,902 Points:417,570 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:14:52 PM Ignore hwnguy Report Abuse not here... not enough demand
papagreg Champion Author Sacramento Posts:1,312 Points:461,300 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:13:03 PM Ignore papagreg Report Abuse I don't know where you live, sg413, however, I sold a duel fuel (CNG & Unleaded) Ford Concours because trying to refill was a difficult option.
sg413 Champion Author California Posts:1,367 Points:295,735 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: Jul 2, 2009 12:10:50 PM Ignore sg413 Report Abuse The key advantage for Natural Gas is that it has an established distribution system. If everyone could fill up at home, you eliinate the gas distribution infrastructure thus eliminating a portion of the cost.