CTAI Blog

Compressed Natural Gas, otherwise known as CNG, is growing in popularity as an alternate source of fuel across the United States. In Idaho, Allied Waste has set the example by converting all of its trash collection vehicles to run on CNG, in addition, Valley Ride in Ada County runs several of the Boise buses on CNG. This fuel has a reputation of being a cleaner and less expensive alternative to traditional gasoline and diesel. In addition, using natural gas would reduce our dependence on foreign oil. There are many vehicle types that can be fueled by CNG, including passenger cars and trucks, passenger and cargo vans, utility trucks, cutaways, shuttle buses, and heavy-duty trucks and buses.

The price of CNG is on average $0.80 to $1.25 less per gasoline gallon equivalent, and give the price of gas, that savings is going to increase. In addition, there are tax credits available to convert vehicles and for the purchase of new CNG fueled vehicles. The cost of a typical conversion pays for itself in about 4.2 years and assumes a life-cycle savings of $8,000 over a seven year period (source: Shift to CNG).

The problem in Idaho is the lack of public fueling stations. The opportunity is that federal funding is available to help set up fueling stations along major corridors of the state.

So what would it take for you to change over to CNG?