Full Article posted on another web site:
CNG is a great domestic alternative. More choices at the pump is good for this nation.
(in before the Gruber-lovers talk about exploding tanks)
I recall country living in the mid-west during 70’s and 80’s there were quite a few dual-fuel pickups - gasoline and gas.
Where I am, gasoline is $2.99/gal. But part of that is the local/state/federal gas tax, which averages out to 49 cents/gal for gas, 50 cents/gal diesel.
If we had a government interested in energy independence, they would announce a ten year moratorium on any tax on natural gas as a vehicle fuel.
The big news is that the next petroleum revolution is natural to liquid fuels—especially now with new catalyst technology that makes it really cheap to make gasoline and #2 diesel fuel from natural gas—and in a form that is way cleaner-burning than gasoline and diesel fuel refined from crude oil.
I just finished my first season running a propane-fueled small outboard on a small boat I have. Made by a company called Lehr and derived from a Yamaha motor. It can take either the 1lb Coleman style bottles, or plug via hose into a grill tank.
I only have 15-20 hours on it, but so far I really like it. Lehr really plays up the “green”, angle, but thats never a selling point for me. It’s definitely cheaper than gasoline (each bottle gives a comparable running time to 1/3 a gallon of gasoline, and I can refill them from a grill tank for about $0.60 per. Works out to $1.80 for a gallon of gasoline equivilant).
AND it takes care of the “green” problem of Ethanol gumming up the carb. A real problem with small outboards.
CNG is great.
Cheaper.
Almost the same range as octane.
Can fill up at home. Wake up every morning with a full tank.
Fewer engine problems.
Problems:
Except New York state, CNG stations are rare.
If you run out of CNG, you have to have your car towed