CNG VEHICLES in the united states

Although there are numerous manufacturers that offer factory-built natural gas trucks, step-vans, transit buses and school buses, there are fewer options for consumers who need light-duty cars, vans and pickup trucks. Currently, the only natural gas light-duty vehicle manufactured in the U.S. is the Honda Civic GX. (While Toyota introduced a CNG Camry at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2008, it has yet to announce any production plans for the vehicle.) Not surprisingly, the Civic is in high demand.

Outside of purchasing a Civic, American consumers have two other options: pursuing one of the limited makes and models available from the EPA-certified conversion system manufacturers, or purchasing from a government auction of pre-owned fleet vehicles.

Public transportation across the country has been using CNG for decades. Currently, about 12-15% of public transit buses in the U.S. run on natural gas (either CNG or LNG – liquefied natural gas). That number is growing, with nearly one in five buses on order today slated to run on natural gas.  States with the highest consumption of natural gas for transportation are California, New York, Texas, Georgia, Massachusetts and D.C.

Utah Is On The Rise

Consumer use of the fuel is most prevalent in California and New York, but Utah is catching up fast. More than 5,000 CNG vehicles are on the roads in Utah. With a $3,000 state tax incentive credit and CNG prices at about 86¢, it’s no wonder that even the governor drives a CNG vehicle.

Many other states have federal vehicle tax credits in place to provide incentives for drivers to purchase CNG vehicles or to convert their vehicles, if it's one of the limited number that qualify, to run on CNG fuel.

It’s Time For Supply To Meet Demand

Only roughly 150,000 of the 8.7 million CNG vehicles worldwide are in the U.S., including aftermarket conversions. The nation’s only light-duty, factory-produced CNG vehicle in production, the Honda Civic GX, has been on the market for 12 years. Though these vehicles are selling out faster than they are made and production is expanding, no other automakers are currently manufacturing CNG vehicles in the U.S.

The bottom line is simple. We need more major automakers manufacturing new CNG vehicles at home and more American consumers taking them to the streets.