CNG Is AFFORDABLE

Compressed natural gas is a bona fide bargain. CNG can cut fuel costs by about 40%, and by taking advantage of existing natural gas lines at home, consumers would save even more. Another plus: CNG vehicles deliver the same power and performance at the same fuel economy as their gasoline counterparts. The slight difference in fuel economy of natural gas trucks, buses and shuttles – as compared to diesel vehicles - is more than made up in lower fuel cost for an overall savings that is impressive.

Second quarter prices for 2008 show a national average of $4.05 for regular gas (Energy Information Administration) and $2.04 for CNG (U.S. Dept. of Energy) – resulting in an average savings of $2.01 per gasoline gallon equivalent. In Utah, for example, Honda Civic GX owners can refuel for just 85¢ gallon per gasoline equivalent (gge), compared with the $4.33 some drivers are paying for regular gasoline.*  That translates into a 2.1¢ per-mile fuel CNG cost vs. a 10.8¢ per-mile gasoline cost – a savings that amounts to $626.40 per year for a driver who commutes 30 miles a day.

*Sources: cngprices.com and utahgasprices.com, Aug. 2008.

Meanwhile, record U.S. natural gas production – a new landmark study shows supply far exceeds government forecasts – and storage levels assure reasonable prices for the foreseeable future. In the past five years, natural gas prices are up less than many other commodities.

And because the cost of energy can’t be measured without including the cost of eliminating pollution, CNG comes out a clear winner here, too. CNG pollutes up to 90% less** and, since it is “carbon lite” and lacks other pollutants, it’s a bargain; a bargain that beats even plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles that require more power generation from utilities.

**Emissions reductions may vary by type of vehicle and type of pollutant.