Current stations. More on the way.
Posted on 04/16/2014 1:38:11 PM PDT by thackney
Not really, because cross-bed toolboxes typically clear the bed by at least a few inches, so you can still lay in 4x8 sheets of stuff. This blocks the front 18” or so of the bed. Shouldn’t be too hard to come up with a design that clears the bottom 6” or so of the bed, assuming they’re not morons in the first place, but if they’re not, why would they do this?
There’s 2 where I live...card-lock style.
I’m an advocate for converting fleets to NG...but I would hesitate before buying one for personal use, because of filling availability.
That's hard to believe. We have a place here in our little community. You can also get a home fueling station installed which takes the natural gas coming into your home (for those of you with gas) and compresses it into your tank. A neighbor has one of those installed and says it works well.
The article doesn't say if the conversion is to a CNG only vehicle, or to a dual-fuel vehicle. If the later - definitely something I'd be interested in checking out when my current truck dies.
I knew a guy that had a pickup converted to propane back in the 80’s and he just loved it. I would think this would be a lot better.
Current stations. More on the way.
Natural Gas Fuelings stations are buying built on the Highway System. LNG as well as CNG.
America’s Natural Gas Highway
http://www.cleanenergyfuels.com/pdf/CE-OS.ANGH.111912.pdf
If I was in the market I'd consider it, but I think if I was getting a new pickup I'd rather go with diesel and convert it to run on used vegie oil (conversion kit was $800 last time I looked). If I was in the market for new a SUV I would be more inclined to go CNG.
From the article:
Last year, Ford announced that its 2014 F-150 trucks would come in two options beyond the typical gasoline model: one that runs on natural gas and another that can run on natural gas or gasoline.
So Gasoline, CNG, or both.
They have been doing it that way for many years in some places. Honda has been selling their CNG Civic GX in the US since 1998. They used to offer a home compressor unit directly with the car. Now it is by 3rd party.
Per equivalent gallon of gasoline means they are comparing the same amount of BTUs, not the same volume of fuel.
From the article:
Last year, Ford announced that its 2014 F-150 trucks would come in two options beyond the typical gasoline model: one that runs on natural gas and another that can run on natural gas or gasoline.
Either or both fuels.
“Add a compressor and I would have more convenience than the gasoline engine for daily use.f”
You’d need a compressor that could compress the natural gas to 2,900–3,600 psi. A compressor like that could cost more than the truck.
When I worked for Phillips Petroleum in Bartlesville, OK in the early ‘90s, you could get a CNG car from the car pool. You could fill up at the car pool, on the turnpike and at some of the refineries. I used to get one when they were available, just because it was “cool.” And, when you needed to fill up, since all the commercial facilities at the time were Phillips stations, you didn’t have to pay out of your pocket (and then get reimbursed) when you filled up with CNG. They just charged it to your business unit.
They drove pretty much the same as the gas cars. Mostly the same performance, etc. The only time I noticed anything was when you had a loaded vehicle; it couldn’t accelerate as quickly when loaded.
Heard through the company grapevine that the engines lasted a lot longer, and the oil looked “cleaner” when it was changed. All in all, I would get a gas/CNG dual use vehicle if I was in the market for a new, long lasting car/truck. (I put A LOT of miles on my vehicles...)
Looks like the break even point would be at least 200,000 miles. Doesn’t make a lot of sense. No wonder they’ve sold only 200 of ‘em.
Nope. They have been selling them for years.
The catch is they are slow-flow. Since it is at home, you plug it in and fill overnight.
http://www.brcfuelmaker.com/phill-domestico-prodotto-brc-fuel-maker.aspx
U.S. price for the Phill is $4,500,
But Eaton is supposed to be bringing a unit out for $500.
http://gas2.org/2012/07/24/eaton-developing-500-home-cng-station/
It makes more sense for a fleet service that would buy higher volumes of Natural Gas at a lower volume price.
It would be . . . if propane were cheaper than gasoline. Which it isn’t.LNG requires so much infrastructure that it’s only fit for long-haul truck fleets.
I see CNG as being competitive with electric vehicles - same sort of range limitation, but substantially cheaper fuel than gasoline. And, realistically, you are better off relying on NG than on electric power.
what happens when it overturns at speed? FAE?
Missed that - thanks!
“what happens when it overturns at speed?”
Probably something like this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v43nWJ2aoNE
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.