Refueling
More than half of the CNG fueling stations in the U.S. are available for public use; others are for fleet vehicles only. But as consumers demand more CNG vehicles, America’s refueling infrastructure (both private and public fueling sites) will quickly grow to meet that demand – particularly with greater emphasis on federal incentives for fuel retailers, as well as automakers and consumers.
State governments are also adopting incentives to encourage CNG retailers to expand and add more stations nationwide. As consumers, we must demonstrate demand for these stations by urging our leaders to pass legislation providing financial incentives that mean business. With fewer than 1,000 public CNG stations in the U.S., it’s time to insist on action, NOW.
Clean Energy®
North America’s largest retailer of CNG is Clean Energy. Much of its current business has been derived from fleet vehicles, refuse trucks, metro transit and airport shuttle buses to taxis and police cars – although consumer demand is rising rapidly. For more, visit cleanenergyfuels.com.
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States Making Progress
California Leads The Way. Given its vigilance and stricter standards for controlling emissions, California was early to embrace alternative fuel vehicles. A Honda dealership in the state capital of Sacramento was among the first to begin fielding a flood of calls from fleet drivers who were impressed enough to want to purchase a natural gas vehicle (the Honda Civic GX) for personal use. California’s array of 186 stations (and counting) also attests to CNG’s popularity.
Saving Time: HOV Lane Access. NGVs qualify for the highly coveted stickers that afford access to HOV lanes, 24/7. For busy commuters, it’s a substantial advantage.
“Prius and the two Civics are the only vehicles clean enough to qualify for stickers that allow solo drivers to take them in California’s car pool lanes. But the allotment of stickers for hybrids has run out for the hybrids. Only Civic GX can still receive them.”
– USA Today, May 8, 2007
More than 100 Utah businesses and government agencies operate some 3,500 natural gas vehicles in Utah and southwestern Wyoming. Questar Gas, the nation’s second-largest retailer of CNG refueling stations, has more than 562 natural gas vehicles (representing 62% of its fleet) and a total of 93 CNG stations — including 21 public-operated throughout Utah and Wyoming.
In Oklahoma, State House Speaker Chris Benge unveiled an energy plan (Sept. 2, 2008) that would double the number of CNG stations and would also provide state tax credits – in addition to federal tax credits – to help reduce the cost of CNG vehicles.
Thanks to support from Gov. George Pataki and others, New York has been in the forefront of acquiring and using natural gas vehicles fueled for its agencies, authorities and universities. There are more than 96 CNG stations from Albany to Westchester.
New England currently offers 28 natural gas stations to the public. These states include Connecticut (9 stations), Rhode Island (7), Massachusetts (11), Maine (1) and Vermont (1).
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U.S. CNG Station Totals
As of July 31, 2008, there are 785 public and private CNG fueling stations across America. But public support for CNG NOW will drive the switch to CNG – and create strong demand for CNG pumps at service stations nationwide.
To view states with the highest number of CNG stations, click on the Total Stations header.