Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by The_Baron on July 2, 2009 at 9:45

NOPE.

Whos going to use it?

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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on July 2, 2009 at 9:47

Thats why we need the government to encourage (i.e. PAY them) fuel station owners to offer cng fueling. Its the whole chiken and the egg thing. No one wants a cng car unless they can fuel them up on the road and no one wants to spend money on fueling stations until there are custermers to use them!

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Permalink Reply by Mark on July 2, 2009 at 9:55

Maybe existing stations can add a dispenser. Wonder if there are already incentives for having the ability for cng dispensers. Having one and advertising it may work.

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Permalink Reply by Mark on July 2, 2009 at 10:00

Found something on this for tax credits;

Energy Policy Act of 2005 (H.R. 6)

Sec. 1342: Credit for Installation of Alternative Fueling Stations

Provides a tax credit equal to 30 percent of the cost of natural gas refueling equipment, up to $30,000 in the case of large stations and $1,000 for home refueling appliances. For non-tax-paying entities, the seller of the fueling equipment can take the credit. The credit is effective on purchases placed in service after December 31, 2005 and expires December 31, 2009. This provision also makes credits available to other alt fuel stations.

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Permalink Reply by Mac Davis on July 2, 2009 at 11:38

No.

The only thing that pays about this is a government subsidy.

Some companies or government entities might set up CNG fleets for local travel. They'd probably have their own fueling stations, unless they're using a "public" station as a form of government subsidy or public relations setup.

I'm not saying it's not a good idea for the country as a whole, just that it doesn't work for now without subsidies.

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Permalink Reply by j garrett on July 4, 2009 at 3:55

Welcome Sarah! You just gave our local little site some credibility. When I saw a CNG vehicle display at the Texas State Fair over a decade ago I became a fan. It works and makes sense. Converting both new & used vehicles is relatively simple because it keeps the same drive train for the vehicle. I hear big rigs in California are running on CNG. Equipping truck stops and centralized fleet vehicle refueling stations is a great starting point. The free market entrepreneurs will take it from there. So, Mark, to answer your question.... If you own a truck stop along Interstate 20, go for it! Happy Independence Day!

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Permalink Reply by sesport on July 4, 2009 at 5:04

And the potential for future personal vehicles will come from ?????????????/

http://www.entergy-louisiana.com/content/economic_development/sites...

crossing my fingers - sesport :0)

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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on July 7, 2009 at 4:08

I hope your right. so far it sounds like the V-cars are just going to be cheap tin cans.

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Permalink Reply by sesport on July 7, 2009 at 4:33

Baron - I believe something "low cost" is going to be used in the manufacture of those cars, maybe in the body. These days, though, I think tin is out and "plastics" are in to keep those kinds of cars light weight & fuel efficient, but it aslo only hurts insurance safety ratings. So, if your reference to "tin cans" is meant to refer to the possible safety rating of V-cars, you may be right.

My thought is that to get ng private vehicles on the market (and on the road), the overall design for fuel efficiency will most likely include lighter weight materials in the body.

We'll have to weigh our trade-off options ... to get ng personal vehicles & fuel efficiency accept the lighter-weight body materials, or forget about it all together. Ultimately, it will be consumer demand that determines whether the product (V-cars) will be a hit.

best & thanks for your thoughts - :0)

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Permalink Reply by The_Baron on July 7, 2009 at 4:45

From what I have read they are aiming for a $10k selling price. There will be few options to choose from.

I have also read that it will be 18 months before we see the first car.

I am not trying to rain on the parade, I think this is an enormous oppurtunity for the City of Monroe, and our State.

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Permalink Reply by sesport on July 7, 2009 at 4:52

Baron - I know you recognize it as such. I'm keeping my fingers crossed it can become the "Honda" of N. Louisiana. I remember when Honda put it's first vehicles out, they cost around $1,000 and looked like little bumper cars from the State Fair (okay, maybe I used creative licesnse in that description). Thirty years + later, look where they are now.

Imagine if V-car can do that here! We'll have an aniversary parade and celebrate all the $$$$$ rain that comes down on our area. :0)

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Permalink Reply by Les Bamburg on July 4, 2009 at 3:14

Mark, check the map of CNG stations in Southern California. This is how you get a network going.

http://www.cngprices.com/index.php?location=Los+Angeles%2C+CA&l...

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