Natural gas vehicles set to surge in popularity
The natural gas vehicle sector is poised to enjoy substantial growth, according to a new report.
Pike Research has forecast that the number of natural gas vehicles on the road worldwide will grow to 17million vehicles by 2015 – an increase from 9.7million in 2008.
Currently, light duty natural gas vehicles are not readily available in North America and parts of Asia and are, in large areas, completely unavailable to private owners. However, in markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Iran, India and Pakistan, there is a significant number of light duty natural gas vehicles readily available.
The report from the cleantech market intelligence firm suggests that growth will vary in different countries and is dependent on a number of factors. The first is economics – the fuel must be cheaper than petrol/diesel to recover the initial cost of the vehicle; there are significant environmental benefits with substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions; the use of natural gas reduces the reliance on crude oil and imported refined gasoline; and there is a need for increased availability of the fuel, vehicles and repair technicians.
According to Dave Hurst of Pike Research, governments, fleet managers and consumers are increasingly recognising the environmental benefits of these cars. However, the lack of refuelling stations is holding back their development in many countries – in the regions where they are performing well, adoption is largely due to a number of existing refuelling stations, government subsidies and relatively inexpensive natural gas.
Despite growth for the market as a whole, the US market is expected to remain dominated by government and commercial customers.
Buck
Pike Research has forecast that the number of natural gas vehicles on the road worldwide will grow to 17million vehicles by 2015 – an increase from 9.7million in 2008.
Currently, light duty natural gas vehicles are not readily available in North America and parts of Asia and are, in large areas, completely unavailable to private owners. However, in markets such as Argentina, Brazil, Iran, India and Pakistan, there is a significant number of light duty natural gas vehicles readily available.
The report from the cleantech market intelligence firm suggests that growth will vary in different countries and is dependent on a number of factors. The first is economics – the fuel must be cheaper than petrol/diesel to recover the initial cost of the vehicle; there are significant environmental benefits with substantially lower greenhouse gas emissions; the use of natural gas reduces the reliance on crude oil and imported refined gasoline; and there is a need for increased availability of the fuel, vehicles and repair technicians.
According to Dave Hurst of Pike Research, governments, fleet managers and consumers are increasingly recognising the environmental benefits of these cars. However, the lack of refuelling stations is holding back their development in many countries – in the regions where they are performing well, adoption is largely due to a number of existing refuelling stations, government subsidies and relatively inexpensive natural gas.
Despite growth for the market as a whole, the US market is expected to remain dominated by government and commercial customers.
Buck
Views: 19
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by JHH on -
Mr. B.
Thanks for your update.
I recently sent an email to GM requesting information about natural gas powered pick-up trucks. I actually got a response.. but it wasn't what i wanted to hear. So far no natural gas trucks on a production line... but they're working on cars. I'm ready to buy a NEW truck that runs on NG... not much interested in conversion of the truck i have. I hope the US auto industry wakes up and starts producing what customers want and the country needs. jhh
-
Permalink Reply by Aubrey C. Sanders, Jr. on
-
Your Ford dealer should be able to order NG fueled pup. My dealer did about 3 years ago. I ordered a Honda Civic and F-150 about 3 years ago when the state (Arizona) would pay about 40% of the cost. When our governor, now head of homeland security for USA cancelled the program I cancelled my order. The program might have otherwise bankrupted the state. Many people did in fact get their NG vehicles. There are lots of NG powered vehicles here in phoenix. City busses, taxis, cop cars, utility companies pickups, etc. Re-fueling is inconvenient. However, if you have NG at home you can get small compressor unit and re-fuel at home. There are some commercial outlets here where you can re-fuel. I credit my hero T. Boone Pickens for talking Phoenix into NG vehicles 15 or 20 years ago.
Support GoHaynesvilleShale.com
Top Content
Not a member? Get our email.
Groups
-
San Augustine, TX
386 members
-
Natchitoches Parish
399 members
-
Cass County, TX
119 members
-
Franklin County, Texas
8 members
-
Rusk County
97 members
-
Vernon Parish
59 members
-
Bienville Parish, LA
242 members
-
Sabine County, Texas
172 members
-
Sabine Parish, LA
455 members
-
Angelina County, TX
87 members
© 2024 Created by Keith Mauck (Site Publisher).
Powered by
