Would you buy a vehicle that runs on natural gas?

alaskaguy · 04-27-2008, 01:11 PM

I have linked an article that examines some of the advantages and disadvantages of natural gas powered vehicles.

Link:
Natural-gas powered cars: Who even knows they exist? - USATODAY.com

cytech · 04-27-2008, 01:12 PM

Is there a tube on the drivers seat to supply it?

SouthernHawk · 04-27-2008, 01:13 PM

The only non-gas powered vehicle I'm buying is a hydrogen when they come out. I'm not into the "let's just start buying different fuels from other countries" kick.

ISUboi12 · 04-27-2008, 01:26 PM

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

The only non-gas powered vehicle I'm buying is a hydrogen when they come out. I'm not into the "let's just start buying different fuels from other countries" kick.

The largest deposits of methane are under ocean floors. I was an LAS major, and even I know that. Wow.

SouthernHawk · 04-27-2008, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by ISUboi12

The largest deposits of methane are under ocean floors. I was an LAS major, and even I know that. Wow.

Also, the majority of continental deposits are found in foreign countries.

While it's a novel idea, it would make natural gas prices sky rocket more than they have already.

alaskaguy · 04-27-2008, 01:36 PM

Alaska has at least a hundred year supply of natural gas and have been working on developing a pipeline to deliver it to the midwest.

Link:
The Alaska Gas Pipeline - The State of Alaska

erikbj · 04-27-2008, 01:39 PM

I'll take an electric car.

ajk4st8 · 04-27-2008, 01:41 PM

Originally Posted by erikbj

I'll take an electric car.

Good luck finding a cord long enough.

Try this.

SouthernHawk · 04-27-2008, 01:44 PM

Natural gas is also expensive to transport.

Phaedrus · 04-27-2008, 01:45 PM

My dad used to have a circa 1950-vintage LPG powered Case tractor. There is absolutely nothing new about them.

They just need to be designed so that the fuel doesn't have to deliver lubricity to moving parts.

Flag Guy · 04-27-2008, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

Natural gas is also expensive to transport.

Uh pretty sure it is largely pipped across the country. Places like Glass plants use huge quantities of it, so they are generally built VERY close to said pipe lines.

I can't say I would buy a natural gas car... thought it was interesting seeing buses and the like using them. Given some of the limitations, as well as the benefits, Natural Gas seems better suited for bus fleets rather than personal cars.

SouthernHawk · 04-27-2008, 02:27 PM

Originally Posted by Flag Guy

Uh pretty sure it is largely pipped across the country. Places like Glass plants use huge quantities of it, so they are generally built VERY close to said pipe lines.

I can't say I would buy a natural gas car... thought it was interesting seeing buses and the like using them. Given some of the limitations, as well as the benefits, Natural Gas seems better suited for bus fleets rather than personal cars.

It's still difficult to transport. Like it was mentioned above, the majority is located at the bottom of the oceans - and it's not easy to get it out of there and to a plant.

ericlambi · 04-27-2008, 05:19 PM

Originally Posted by SouthernHawk

It's still difficult to transport. Like it was mentioned above, the majority is located at the bottom of the oceans - and it's not easy to get it out of there and to a plant.

I think the key question is whether the existing infrastructure could be leveraged to make natural gas filling stations. We already pump it everywhere, so the cost to build pipelines, move it, etc. shouldn't be a huge issue.

The idea sounds interesting, but a 200mi range with no filling stations makes it pretty unpractical.

erikbj · 04-27-2008, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by ajk4st8

Good luck finding a cord long enough.

I was watching a car show on ESPN a couple weeks ago and they said that Honda is going to come out with an Electric car that you can lease for 36 months at $600 / mo (i think California only). They install some docking station in your house to charge it. After the 36 months they take the car back for research needs.

TykeClone · 04-27-2008, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by erikbj

I was watching a car show on ESPN a couple weeks ago and they said that Honda is going to come out with an Electric car that you can lease for 36 months at $600 / mo (i think California only). They install some docking station in your house to charge it. After the 36 months they take the car back for research needs.

And then a film critical of that company will be made to complain about it