Natural Gas Powered Vehicles
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A plan to cut America's dependence on foreign oil, help the environment and cut our fuel bill in half, all without driving fewer miles, is underway.
The first of nearly 100 natural gas powered vehicles was unveiled today and the potential is fascinating.
"It burns significantly cleaner than any other alternative fuel, it requires no new technologies to make it work and it will reduce your cost of operation of that vehicle by up to fifty percent," Doug Clark, vice president of governmental affairs and marketing for Metropolitan Utilities District said.
M.U.D. and Metro Community College teamed up on a Chevy van converted to run on natural gas.
It is one of 96 such vehicles hitting the road in the Omaha and Lincoln area.
Mileage and engine power are the same but this vehicle puts out fewer emissions polluting the environment.
A few modifications are necessary...recalibrating the computer so it knows its running on natural gas, changes to the fuel injection system and installing a new tank containing compressed natural gas.
Clark said natural gas is one of the safest fuels available for operating a vehicle since it takes almost a perfect air to gas ratio to create a fire or explosion.
"This carbon fiber tank is shot at with military firearms it is exploded with dynamite it has gone through extensive testing it is much safer than the steel tanks that your driving around with with gasoline," Clark said. "Pretty much any vehicle could be running on natural gas at this point in time."
There is a price tag...the tank alone is about $5,000 but it pays for itself over the long haul.
"Right now you'll be paying $1.20 a gallon for natural gas to power that vehicle instead of what $2.75 today?" Clark said.
One downfall, filling the tank takes time.
"This system here if this vehicle is completely empty, it could take up to about six hours to fill," Metro Instructor Nick Wagoner said.
Pump availability is limited, for now but natural gas powered vehicles could provide more benefits than lower gas prices.
"We're preparing Omaha to be a cleaner environment for our children," Clark said.
the natural gas fueled van will be on display at the 'Buy the Big O Show' this Wednesday from 8:30am until 5:30 pm.
Happy Cab is also in the process of converting its fleet to natural gas power and we're told the Honda Civic GX is already on the market for consumers.
It cost about $1,200 more than a gas powered engine.
Full public access to natural gas for vehicles should be available by June of 2011. Two stations near 54th and L and 61st and Oak Street will provide natural gas for cars.
