Cheaper Transportation

[Terrel L. Shields]

FYI

If you buy a car or convert a car to use Natural gas or propane in Arkansas, you can get a rebate up to $4,500 for 50% of the cost and if you build a natural gas (compressed or liquified) station, you can get tax rebates up to $400,000.

The price is less than $2 per gallon equiv. and I have seen prices as low as $1.07. Something to think about if you are buying a car. The propane option means you buy a fuel sticker in lieu of motor fuel taxes...and these are generally dual fuel autos... I want one.. At 30,000 miles per year, I could save a lot of money and Nat Gas burns very very clean.

 

[Sid Holderly]

The main problem with natural gas is the size of tank needed to get approximately the same driving distance (it would fill the whole trunk). I think the utility trucks here on NG go about 1/2 the distance before a refill. NG use is on a step rise though.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

So if you can only go 150 miles on a tank, maybe want to fill up after 100 or so, is that a big deal? I'd probably want to get out and stretch my legs anyway. But, how many stations have this anyway? Could be a problem.

 

[Riick]

Biggest problem is refueling. For me, nearest commercial spot is about 15 mi away.
Honda has been selling NG vehicles in New York State. OEM tanks good for 125 - 150 miles IIRC, in any event, not enough for me to drive down to the beach on a summer day *and* come home again.

Honda also sells a compressor system so you can refill car at home, their 115v system will do it overnight, 220v faster --again IIRC.

Lastly... there are often Ford Crown Vics that use NG fuel on Ebay
- these are OEM NG cars built that way by Ford.

ALSO... tanks that hold the NG need replacement every few years for safety reasons

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

The big problem is the fees for inspection of the tanks. If the inspection is every 3rd year...not so bad, annual is PITA and expensive. Argument is over how often. Propane OTOH is generally a plus plus...if you put miles on 'em. The sticker for the motor fuel tax is annual (not cheap but...) the more miles the cheaper it is. With the dual fuel feature, you would not run out of fuel - you can alwasy gas 'er up.

Propane can also be refueled at home. It's no biggie - just sit a 500 gallon tank. If you use 1000 gal. per year - refueling in August and spring is usually cheapest price. Further, 10,000 miles between oil changes is practical. And an engine should last as long as a diesel. In fact, diesels can be converted to Liq. Nat gas and run very well (needs different pistons)

 

[Gregory Young]

Any activity toward that prophesy in our neck of the woods yet? Anyone moving into fueling stations, or we need on site personal/business tanks?

 

[Mountain Man]

The NG refueling station in the ATL is way downtown. You'll want to have a gun in open carry even at 10 AM in that area, and you'd better not be around after 5PM. Until there are more stations this won't go far.

 

[Tim The Enchanter]

The NG refueling station in the ATL is way downtown. You'll want to have a gun in open carry even at 10 AM in that area, and you'd better not be around after 5PM. Until there are more stations this won't go far.

Good thing you're not with the city tourism board.

 

[Terrel L. Shields]

Greg
There is a filling station north of Conway, one in Stilwell, OK; and I am told they are building one in Bentonville, perhaps another near Southwestern's offices in Lowell/Springdale...also, Springfield, MO / Miami, OK and I think one is in Ft. Smith and Little Rock or Pine Bluff.

Actually there are 7 in Atlanta area and Oklahoma has enough stations to make it feasible for a lot of folks. You can check for the location of all kinds of fuel stations on the website below.

[url]http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/natural_gas_locations.html[/URL]

 

[EDWARD BERRY]

Propane.

Same As 1950's 1960's.

In Ukraine 10% Of New Cars On It.

No Problems-

Can Be Stored Longer Without Problems.

Except Red Tape --mechanics, Refillers, Taxes, Etc, Etc.

50% Of Old Buses In Russia On Ng. 5000 Lbs Of Tanks.

Forget Ng. But Gooberments( In Grants) Are Pushing It. Why Reinvent The Wheel?