The Psychology of Fuel Efficiency

Science & Law Blog ^ | Jun 25, 2008 | Edward K. Cheng

[Eye of Unk]

I wanted to convert my 2002 Silverado dually with the 8.1 (496) to CNG but I get zip on a google search for conversion kits, I’m in Alaska where regular is $4.51, however I may have methane to drill for on my property, its being drilled not too far away.

[Pontiac]

What you write is true in the short term

I guess that depends on what you consider the short term.

If you are a new car buyer (leaser maybe) you are likely trading in a car with 70K or fewer miles on the clock. Cars manufactured after 2000 can reasonably be expected to be on the road for 200K. So that trade in can be expected to be on the road for another 8 to 10 years.

In the bigger scheme of things (Galactic) I guess that is short term.

[Oshkalaboomboom]

I'd like a similar scooter but I'd be road kill within a minute of leaving my street.

I'm only on a busy road for .3 mile each way. I stay as far over as I can so cars can pass me and I try to make it so I don't have any cars at all around me. The scooter is 49cc and if my commute was 3 miles instead of .3 I'd probably have a life expectancy of less than a year. I won't even use it to go to the store that's about a mile away.

[taxcontrol]

No but you can purchase a home unit to fill your tank from your household NG line. It’ called MyPhill (www.myphill.com)

[taxcontrol]

Depends on if you do it yourself or have someone else do it. $1,000 to $5,000 depending on make, model, size of tanks, certifications and if you have it done by a certified professional (so you can then get state / federal tax rebates)

[count-your-change]

I had heard that getting EPA, etc. certifications was quite costly as in several thousand dollars over mechanical work.
Fuel though was less than 1/4 gasoline for same mileage. It sounds like the main impediment is useless regs.

[taxcontrol]

That depends on two cases:

Case 1
You are a TOTALLY law abiding person and want to get the full state and federal tax rebates. That means you MUST have the conversion done by a certified profession (i.e. expensive) firm. Due to the EPA regulations around such certifications, such shops tend to focus on a limited vehicle set which tend to be common light and medium duty fleet type vehicles (Ford F150, etc). However, the EPA certification is for specific makes and models and the conversion firm has to submit, get certified, maintain paperwork etc, in order to comply with the EPA / Fed regulations. This cost is then passed on to you. ($3,000 to $5,000)

Case 2
If on the other hand you don't really care about all the regulations and getting your tax rebate, or your vehicle is not one of the “certified” model/years ... then you can do your own and there are low cost (sub $500) kits and inexpensive CNG tanks ($1,000) that you can install yourself. However, CNG is highly flammable and if you don't do the job right, you could create a drivable fire pit or worse, VB-IED.

Decide for yourself which best fits your situation.

[wolf78]

Change "Which switch is better for the environment?" to "Which switch is better for your wallet?" and there ya go.

In the case of fuel efficiency, both are the same. It helps the environment - and your wallet - more if people do the switch that saves 5 gallons.

It's just that instead of asking "how far can I go on a certain amount of fuel" you ask the more relevant question: "How much fuel / money does it take me to get there?"

And that's one thing they got right in Europe, where fuel efficiency is measured in liter per 100 km (~0.42 gallon per 100 miles).