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To: RaceBannon

I don’t have 22 minutes to find out Miss Daily’s answer.

However, I own a bi-fuel 1999 Ford Contour, and the answer is, “yes”, if you live in the right part of the country and the price of gasoline is high, with LOTS of caveats. When I bought the Contour at a bargain price from Florida, in order to use it in Madison, WI, which had several CNG fueling options, and Rockford, IL also had one good one, the idea made sense. At the time, gasoline was $4 and CNG was $1.80 gallon equivalent. (with an 8 gallon equivalent tank) in addition to the full 16 gallon gasoline tank.

As it turned out, the Ford’s gasoline to CNG was touchy and failed from neglect by the previous owner, with no good way to fix or replace. Also, the CNG tank “expired” at 15 years, and therefore was not supposed to be used, nor could it be legally serviced. Finally, the PSI went up after the Contour was made, reducing the number of stations I could actually use, if it worked.

When we moved for a new job in Georgia, the number of CNG locations in my driving area went from 4 to 0. The car stills serves as my daily commuter runing on gasoline.

The Honda CNG Civic has a MUCH better track record, and there are a number of pickups that are newer that do okay.

Mainly, be aware of cng locations, expect less range unless you combine with gasoline in a bi-fuel usage. Don’t expect to save money with gasoline at $2.50 or less per gallon.

Filling up the tank is slower and marginally more hassle than a gasoline tank, but not as long as an electric would be by a long shot.

Pilot truck stops were planning to add CNG capacity at their truck stops. I do not know if those plans have been put on hold.


13 posted on 09/29/2015 4:30:50 PM PDT by Dr. Sivana (There is no salvation in politics)
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To: Dr. Sivana

Our local Pilot has CNG.


15 posted on 09/29/2015 4:37:05 PM PDT by Farmer Dean (stop worrying about what they want to do to you,start thinking about what you want to do to them)
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To: Dr. Sivana; RaceBannon

In Poland and other parts of Europe, you see a lot of after market fittings for CNG tanks. These are usually 8 gal standard tanks that go in the trunk and a kit which adjust the engine/fuel mixture to allow the vehicle to burn CNG as well as gas. I believe the tanks in some models can be changed out just like you would for your BBQ grill at the local hardware store.

The key question is cost per measure of distance ($/mile or Zolty/ Km). In Europe gas is running from $6.50 to $8.00 per gallon. Yes, the CNG is gets fewer miles per gallon, but the difference in costs makes it worth while for many vehicle owners.

On the plus side, CNG is less corrosive and produces less pollution than gasoline.

I guess the big question will be efficiency as measured in cost per over distance. As a free market measure, it could be a great fix for many parts of the US.


20 posted on 09/29/2015 5:40:55 PM PDT by Bill Russell
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To: Dr. Sivana

You need to read more before responding!

This is not about running a car on Methane gas; it is about converting methane into liquid which is easy and safe to put in your car.
.


41 posted on 09/30/2015 10:31:23 AM PDT by editor-surveyor (Freepers: Not as smart as I'd hoped they'd be)
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