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 NATURAL GAS VEHICLES OFFER ECONOMICAL, SAFE,
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OPTION
14 Feb 2000
Jack McIver estimates that in the last 13 years he's saved about $80,0000 in fuel and maintenance costs since converting his fleet of service and delivery trucks to natural gas from diesel and regular gasoline.
That's not exactly small change for his 10-person McIver's Appliance Sales and Service Ltd. It's a business that has kept as many as half a dozen natural gas-powered trucks on the road from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., travelling as much as 130 kilometres of stop-and-go driving each day.
"It costs $600-$700 a month to keep a gasoline-only truck on the road, where with the natural gas it costs $200-$300 a month," says McIver. "They're fabulous. We've had virtually no repairs to these trucks and the engines don't seem to wear out. Having natural gas practically pays for another truck every few years."
McIver and other fleet buyers who have made the switch to natural gas have nothing but high praise for the cost-effectiveness of what noted automotive researcher Robert Riley describes as "one of the cleanest-burning and safest-to-use fuels available today." In fact, Riley, in Alternative Cars in the 21st Century, published by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE), suggests that the only obstacles to natural gas becoming the vehicle fuel of choice for the average consumer are "preconceived ideas about the safety and handling difficulties of natural gas."
Those are the sorts of myths that drive Michael McNeil to distraction.
"The truth is," says the president and CEO of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance (CNGVA), "natural gas is the safest fuel you can put in a vehicle."
The facts speak for themselves. According to Riley, natural gas vehicles have been in use around the world for more than half a century and today more than one million are in use worldwide. Yet in all that time involving all those vehicles not a single fire or explosion caused by a collision involving a natural gas vehicle has ever been documented. Riley believes that "technically unsound movie scenes...have given natural gas a bad image with dramatic portrayals of suicides and explosions."
And it is that sound safety record, along with the obvious and very significant benefits for the economy and the environment, that is poised to turn natural gas into what Riley describes as "the alternative fuel of choice in the 21st century."
It's easy to see why. Natural gas is the cleanest burning alternative fuel in the world, offering an overall reduction in emissions of about 75 per cent compared to gasoline engines, more for diesel. Equally important, natural gas costs 15-50 per cent less to use than gasoline or diesel, natural gas vehicle performance is equal or sometimes better than gasoline power, and many maintenance costs are less.
In fact, owners report oil changes every 15,000-25,000 kilometres (versus 5,000 in a gasoline vehicle) and spark plugs that last 100,000-plus kilometres (versus less than half that in a typical gas car). And because with natural gas there is no carbon build-up, like in a gasoline or diesel engine, engines generally last much, much longer.
"The oil doesn't even get dirty in these (natural gas) vehicles," says McIver.
Moreover, while natural gas technology is established and well-proven, NG research efforts are racing ahead thanks to increasing gasoline and diesel costs and growing concerns about global warming.
So what are the options for those interested in Natural Gas vehicles? At present, Ford of Canada, General Motors Canada and DaimlerChrylser Canada between them sell about a dozen different fully-warrantied vehicles capable of running either exclusively on natural gas or on both natural gas or gasoline, the latter referred to as "bi-fuel vehicles. From British Columbia to Quebec there are also numerous companies well experienced in converting gasoline engines to natural gas, offering them with full warranties.
Any vehicle of any size can be run on natural gas. However, most of the 21,000 natural vehicles on Canada's roads today are larger sedans and light-duty trucks with adequate space to accommodate the two to four natural gas fuel cylinders stored in the trunk, the undercarriage or on the roof. More fuel storage space is required for natural gas because it's less energy-dense than gasoline or diesel.
Aside from the fuel cylinders, the only difference between a gasoline and NG vehicle is the fuel system to deliver natural gas to the engine. Bi-fuel vehicles can run on both natural gas and gasoline. If the natural gas runs out, the switch to gasoline is made via either a dashboard switch or automatically-even while vehicle is in motion. Flexibility is the main benefit of a bi-fuel vehicle.
As Riley points out, most conversions are relatively simple to do. They integrate with existing gasoline equipment, retaining both gasoline and natural gas capabilities with no major engine modifications. The average conversion to bi-fuel costs $2,800-$4,000, while a factory-built, dedicated natural gas vehicle sells for about $6,000-$7,000 more than its gasoline-powered counterpart.
But that's not the whole story. Across Canada the federal and provincial governments, as well as most utility companies and automobile manufacturers, offer a range of incentives and subsidies-to the tune of thousands of dollars--that significantly offset the cost of purchasing a new natural gas-powered vehicle or ordering a conversion.
Says McNeil: "By the time you're finished, you can generally get enough incentives such that you recover the added cost in 18 months."
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 NIBBLY: GOOD FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
14
Feb 2000
The benefits to the environment that flow from the use of
natural gas are startling: per unit of energy, natural has less carbon
than any other fossil fuel, thus it produces lower CO2 emissions per
vehicle mile travelled. Natural gas does produce methane, a greenhouse
gas, but it's offset by a big reduction in CO2.
Other drastic reductions in harmful tailpipe emissions:
* carbon monoxide (CO) by 90 per cent or more;
* nitrogen oxide (NOx) by 50 per cent or more;
* carbon monoxide by 90 per cent or more;
* sulfur dioxide (SO2) by 97 per cent or more;
* carbon dioxide (CO2), a greenhouse gas, by 25 per cent or more;
* particulate matter by 60 per cent or more;
* smog-forming volotile organic compounds (COCs) by 98 per cent or more;
* air toxins such as benzene by up to 100 per cent.
Another benefit: natural gas is contained in a pressurized system, so
there are no evaporative emissions such as you get from gasoline vapours.
The EPA has found that evaporative and fuelling emissions account for at
least 50 per cent of a vehicle's total hydrocarbon emissions.
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 NIBBLY: GOOD PERFORMANCE
14
Feb 2000
A dedicated natural gas engine runs with increased power and
efficiency, comparable to or surpassing that of a dedicated gasoline
engine.
Key to both the performance and safety benefits is the fact that natural
gas has a 130 octane rating compared to typically 87-92 for gasoline.
(Octane is a measure of resistance to knock or engine pinging caused by
premature ignition.) Higher octane means higher compression ratios and
better fuel efficiency. Many natural gas vehicles deliver better
acceleration. And because it's a gas it mixes well with air, meaning
that in cold weather it actually starts better than gasoline or propane.
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 NIBBLY: GOOD FOR SAFETY
14
Feb 2000
Natural gas has a higher ignition point, so it is less likely to ignite
accidentally. It's also lighter than air, so it won't settle in low
lying areas. And when it leaks it dissipates rather than pools, so
parking natural gas vehicles in underground parking is completely safe.
Finally, it's not toxic or corrosive, so it will not contaminate
groundwater, and it's transported usually via underground pipelines,
eliminating the risk of a tanker spill.
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 NIBBLY: INFRASTRUCTURE
14
Feb 2000
One reason the marketplace has been reluctant to embrace NG vehicles has
been the lack of an adequate re-fuelling infrastructure. But today 75-85
per cent of Canada's driving population has access to natural gas
through some 140 public refuelling stations in major centres, another 80
private refuelling stations and at-home hookups.
Natural gas vehicles, unlike those powered by gasoline, diesel or any
other fuel, can be safely refuelled at home via what's called a vehicle
refuelling appliance or VRA. A VRA is a device that allows anyone to tap
into their natural gas line at home and refuel in about six to eight
hours.
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 CANADA'S LINEUP OF DEDICATED OR BI-FUEL NATURAL GAS VEHICLES (MODEL YEAR 2000)
GENERAL MOTORS OF CANADA
14
Feb 2000
Chevrolet four-wheel drive and GMC Sierra bi-fuel natural gas crew cab
(four-door) pickup:
The four-door, four-wheel drive Chevrolet and GMC pickups are bi-fuel
models that have V8 engines capable of running on either natural gas or
gasoline. The natural gas tanks carry the gasoline equivalent of 50
litres of gas, providing a range of 241.4 kilometres. The 128.8-litre
gasoline tank gives these pickups a range of 643.6 kilometres. In terms
of emissions rating, they meet low emission vehicle (LEV) standards.
Chevrolet Cavalier bi-fuel four-door compact sedan:
The bi-fuel four-door Cavalier has a four-cylinder engine. Its on-board
natural gas tank carries the gasoline equivalent of 23.5 litres, giving
it a natural gas range of 257.4 km. The additional 57.5 litre gasoline
tank offers a range of 643.6 km.
Prices: Chevrolet Cavalier: NGV option is $7,295 (base Cavalier is
$15,765) Chevrolet/GMC pickups: NGV option is $,7540 (base price of both
trucks is $33,860).
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 FORD OF CANADA
14
Feb 2000
Ford Crown Victoria full-size, four-door sedan (police and commercial
versions):
Ford of Canada's full-size Crown Victoria sedan comes in two natural gas
versions, both dedicated. The V8-powered Crown Victoria comes as a
commercial sedan suitable for service, for example, in taxi fleets, or
in a police interceptor model that boasts a beefier suspension and
handling package. The commercial sedan comes with a natural gas tank
that holds the gasoline equivalent of 35.6 litres, while the extended
range package which is part of the police model has an NG tank with the
gasoline equivalent of 54.9 litres. The approximate range of the
commercial sedan is 160 km.-280 km., while the extended range model has
a range of 322 km.-483 km. These vehicles meet ULEV or ultra low
emission vehicle standards.
Ford Econoline full-size commercial van/passenger wagon:
Ford's Econoline is a dedicated natural gas vehicle powered by a V8
engine and available as both a commercial van and passenger wagon. With
natural gas tanks that carry the gasoline equivalent of 70.4 or 98
litres (regular and extended range), these vans can go between 241 km. -
684 km. between refuelling, depending on the tank size and driving
conditions. The Econoline has received ULEV and SULEV (ultra low
emission vehicle and super ultra low emission vehicle) rating.
Ford full-size F-series pickup dedicated natural gas vehicle:
Ford's F-series full-size pickup truck is a dedicated natural gas
vehicle powered by a V8 engine. Its natural gas tank store the gasoline
equivalent of 81 litres, giving the pickup a range of 282 km - 523 km.
It has received a ULEV and SULEV (ultra low emission vehicle and super
ultra low emission vehicle) rating.
Ford full-size F-series bi-fuel full-size pickup truck:
Ford's bi-fuel F-series full-size pickup has a V8 engine capable of
running on either natural gas or gasoline. It is available in both two-
and four-wheel drive versions. It's natural gas tank carries the
gasoline equivalent of 47.3 litres, while the gas tank ranges from 94 -
113 litres depending on the model. Range? With natural gas, 160 - 320
km.; with gasoline, 560 - 676 km. This pickup has ULEV (ultra low
emission vehicle) emissions status.
Prices: Ford Crown Victoria: NGV option is $8,711 (base price of the
commercial Crown Vic is $30,995, while the police version is $31,095).
Ford Econoline: NGV option is $9,893 (the E250 cargo van has a base
price of $27,295). Ford F-Series pickup: NGV bi-fuel option is $9,761
(includes $7,988 for the fuel system and $1,773 for the prep. package).
The F-150 4x4 Styleside Supercab pickup sells for $28,195.
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 DAIMLERCHRYSLER CANADA
14
Feb 2000
Dodge Ram commercial van/passenger wagon dedicated natural gas vehicles:
DaimlerChrysler Canada sells both a commercial van and passenger
wagon
version of the large Dodge Ram van in dedicated natural gas form. With a
5.2-litre V8 engine, the Ram has a natural gas tank that holds the
gasoline equivalent of 61.6 litres, providing for a range of 220 km. -
400 km. The Ram has achieved SULEV (super ultra low emission vehicle)
status in terms of its emissions rating.
Prices: Dodge Ram Van/Wagon: NGV option is $7,890. the Ran Cargo Van 2500 sells for $27,220.
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 NG VEHICLE COSTS
14
Feb 2000
Owners of large vehicle fleets are best positioned to realize a
potentially large financial payback for using natural gas--although
there is a higher up-front cost versus gasoline.
But if you have a fleet of vehicles that use 5,000 litres of gasoline a
year-say a taxicab company--at $.60 a litre that's an annual fuel bill
of about $3,000. With natural gas it's reasonable to subtract 40 per
cent of that, or $1,200. So now the annual fuel bill is $1,800.
A 40 per cent savings in fuel costs, combined with a broad array of
financial incentives and subsidies, means that the average high-mileage
fleet vehicle will have recovered the added cost of dedicated natural
gas engine, or conversion, within 18 months or less, says Michael
McNeil, president of the Canadian Natural Gas Vehicle Alliance.
"If just makes sense, economically, to bring natural gas into your
fleet," says McNeil.
Currently, a typical natural gas vehicle costs $6,000-$8,000 more than
its gasoline counterpart, while conversions run between $2,800-$4,000.
But that initial extra outlay is significantly offset by a variety of
incentives and subsidies. Subsidiesvary from province to province, so
for details contact your local natural gas supplier.
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