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Permalink Reply by moondawg on February 17, 2012 at 11:09

I would like to make a comment that said you can't switch from CNG to gasoline you have to have one or the other. That statement is not true because the company truck that i drive can run on CNG or gasoline by the push of a button by the steering wheel at any speed any time.

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Permalink Reply by Larry G Smith P.E. on February 17, 2012 at 11:33

I agree moondawg, the vehicles that I have seen can switch from CNG to gasoline with the flip of a switch. And as for the cost, go to your dealer and check the price to convert. Most of the figures I have seen on here are way to high, someone blowing smoke I think.

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Permalink Reply by Krkyoldhag on February 17, 2012 at 3:21

Can you send some more info about the type of conversion kits they are using in Lima?  Here they are claiming its $10,000 to convert a vehicle to NG.

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Permalink Reply by DrWAVeSport Cd1 on February 14, 2012 at 11:32

Can someone tell me how Third-World Nations can manage to produce and grow CNG/LNG markets and build CNG/LNG vehicles on their (comparatively speaking) pittances of assets and third-world economies...  And the U.S. Government/Automakers/ and Private Corporations tout that conversion to Nat Gas Nation will cost U.S. taxpayers and consumers Billions of $$$$ per CNG vehicles, conversion kits, fueling stations, infrastructure, etc., etc., etc.  ?????

How do these poor Third-World Nations and their even poorer citizens manage to do it?????  There must be a trick to acquiring the "out of necessity" mindset of these other Nations that we do not possess...

I suppose it is the same scenario U.S. consumers have faced with the "digital" television and "no contract" cellular service ripoffs, where U.S. consumers have paid through the nose to get and Europe and Other Foreign countries' consumers have had for years, paying very little for same, comparatively speaking. 

If India, Pakistan, Peru, Brazil, Argentina, Iran, etc...  can manage to accomplish this most impossible task...  AND, WE CAN'T ???????   Without GOING BROKE ????????   Or paying $8+K more for a CNG vehicle.  Or $5-8K for a conversion.  Or, $5K for a "Phill" type home fueling product.   Then...

"Something Is Wrong In The State Of Denmark."

Again, Idiots. IMHO

DrWAVeSport Cd1 2/14/2012

      

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Permalink Reply by Skip Peel - Mineral Consultant on February 14, 2012 at 11:45

Dr, American motorist have different expectations that those in the countries you list.  What goes in India may not play in the USofA.  Here is a prime example from the Natural Gas vehicle event in D.C. that Keith covered (the images are on his personal page).  Note the very small trunk space in this car.  Until technology overcomes the requirement for CNG storage in bulky cylinders there is no place in a car to store it without loosing two-thirds of your trunk space.  I for one use every available inch of mine on a regular basis.

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Permalink Reply by DrWAVeSport Cd1 on February 15, 2012 at 6:27

Skip,

Agreed.  But, I question the cost per cost basis, Country vs. Country, per discussion.  If 3rd World Nations can "afford" to change/increase CNG "demand" side of nat gas, relatively cheaply, again, comparatively speaking, then again, I question, what is U.S.'s problem, and Why the inflated costs to do so?  I know we pay more for just about every product produced (Except for nat gas, LOL) but Someone is "zoomin" Someone on the CNG "products pricing."  IMO

If we would get serious about CNG, as these 3rd World Countries are doing... Then why not get serious about cutting the U.S. Car Consumer a break, and provide CNG products at  more "reasonable" price points. (?)

Losing some "trunk space" is a relatively benign point for me.  The CHK CNG work trucks don't seem to have any "space" problems.

I see your point, though.  I see too that American vehicles seem to be getting smaller per se.  But U.S. is still in love with it's BIG motorcar.  I don't think that "affair" is going to break up any time soon.   

Myself, I have no problem with "cylinder" taking up space.  I might just save some money buying hunting gear. LOL

Thanks Skip, as always.

DrWAVeSport Cd1 2/15/2012

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Permalink Reply by True Texan on February 16, 2012 at 17:14

I’m still here in Lima, Peru.  I just want to tell you that the only reason I can get into my mind as to why we have not made the switch to NG in the states is because of all the money that is made from the import, refining, and selling of gasoline and diesel fuel.  You have to think that when a ship of oil comes to the states it has to pay a huge fee to dock.  They have to store the oil and then refine it.  Then there is the fleet of trucks it take to move the refined products to the station where they then tax the crap out of you and I to pay for the roads.  All along this tail the fuel makes before it gets into your tank it’s paying fees.  There is a lot of people that have to work to get it there and a lot of taxes it has to pay.  Here in Peru they don’t store the NG at the station like they do gasoline.  There is a NG line running to the station just like there is to most homes in the states.   Right now I’m diving a car that runs on NG.  I just rented a cab driver’s car for a week because my wife wanted us to rent a car.  It was the cheapest way to get a car while we are here for the last week. ($35.00 per day with full insurance.)  The car is a 2010 Kia Rio.  The owner said he paid $1,000.00 for his NG system.  When I got the car a couple days ago both tanks were empty.  I went to the station and filled the NG tank for only $13.10  He told me that I should be able to go 280 km with a full tank.  That is 173 miles! I have been driving the car for two days now.  You would not know that it’s running on NG if you didn’t look in the trunk to see the NG tank.  They only thing is the car has to warm up after setting for a long time such as over night.  The NG tank only takes 1/3 of the trunk of this small car.  I don’t see that being a big problem.  In the morning I’m going to take some photos of the car and NG system and post them so that you can see for yourself.   I would love to fill my own cars at my home in the states, save money and employ more Americans.

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