The CNG Advantage
Why Natural Gas is Today's Best Alternative Vehicle Fuel?
- It's Domestic: With 98% of natural gas produced in North America, increasing use of natural gas
vehicles (NGVs) reduces our foreign oil consumption, and enhances our nation's energy security.
- It's Clean: Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are two of the cleanest
burning alternative fuels available. NGVs emit up to 30% less greenhouse gas than gasoline or diesel
vehicles.
- It's Cheaper Than Gas or Diesel: Natural gas is less expensive than petroleum, which means
reduced fuel costs for NGV operators.
- It's Abundant: North America has at least a 120-year supply of natural gas, according to a June 2008
study.
- It's Here — Now: Natural gas-fueled vehicles are being deployed widely today. There are more than
12.5 million NGVs worldwide, with about 110,000 on U.S. roads today. 25% of all new transit buses
currently on order nationwide are natural gas-powered.
- It's Increasingly Available: There are more than 1,100 NGV fueling stations in the U.S. — and about
half of them are open to the public. California has the nation's most extensive natural gas fueling
infrastructure.
- It Serves All Sectors: NGVs serve more users than any other alternative fuel vehicle. In the United
States, about 30 different manufacturers produce 100 models of light, medium and heavy-duty
vehicles and engines.
- It's Safe: Lighter-than-air compressed natural gas is nontoxic and disperses quickly. It has a higher
ignition temperature than gasoline and diesel fuel, which reduces the chances of accidental ignition.
- It Reduces Noise: Natural gas engines can reduce noise by as much as 50% compared to diesel
engines.
- It Can Be Renewable: Renewable natural gas — also known as biomethane or biogas — is a model
alternative fuel. Produced from animal and crop waste and sewage, it delivers benefits throughout the
fuel cycle.