Distribution natural gas pipelines

If this rule stayed in place 1000′s of CNG vehicle owners in Utah would suddenly lose the privilege of driving their vehicles. UHP safety inspections are universal in Utah. This January 2009 law change was later challenged in court ruled invalid, but the damage to the interested-public's understanding was already done. It has been suggested that this ill-advised rule was due to over-zealous local news coverage and false rumors spread by certain Conversion shops threatened by their new aftermarket competition.

Misconceptions about CNG Conversions

Some of the biggest problems CNG Converters, and would-be CNG Conversion customers, face is a false conception that CNG Kits are readily available here in the United States and that there is already a kit available that is tailor made for their specific vehicle. There is also a false notion that installing a CNG kit is similar to bolting on a performance accessory.

These notions couldn't be farther from the truth: While a CNG Conversion is not an engine overhaul, in some ways it is more complicated. In the United States, today, there are no aftermarket CNG kits that are specific to one type of vehicle that are available to the general public. There are EPA-certified CNG systems that are designed for some specific New vehicles, but these systems are only sold to their installers.

All aftermarket CNG Conversions (other than EPA Certified) are 'universal', meaning they must be adapted to each specific vehicle. This takes time and money. Non EPA Certified CNG systems are not eligible for tax credits or incentives. What does happen is that each aftermarket CNG system is custom made to each vehicle and the knowledge of tuning and bracket configuration, tank placement and custom tuning stays in the mind of that installer.

New EPA AFV regulations and their effect on CNG Conversions

Many have touted the new EPA regulations as a boon in CNG converting. To some this may be the green light they need to move forward and convert but all of the problems stated above will still exist. It is not up to our government to move CNG conversions forward, on the other hand there are things they could do to help. I have read their new AFV regulations many times and I still have questions. (insert mechanical legalese here) For those looking to others to solve their problems, it will be a long time coming. For us who have already gone forward and started converting our customers are reaping the benefit of lower fuel and maintenance costs. For some there will always be roadblocks, for others there will always be CNG superhighways.

Consumers have been selecting natural gas vehicles over electric vehicles at a rate of two to one. By year end there will be approximately 123,600 natural gas vehicles on our nation's road as compared to 65,500 electric vehicles. Despite the lack of marketing or fueling infrastructure for natural gas, it is now the first choice among consumers looking to alternative ways to fuel their vehicles.

The drop in natural gas prices has helped fuel the demand; beating out the more heavily marketed and federally funded electric vehicles (EVs). Four years ago President Obama unveiled his vision of 1 million plug-in vehicles on U.S. Compressed Natural Gas Vehicles : A Better Long Term Solution, compressed natural gas, What You Need to Know About Natural Gas Vehicles