Today, it seems like natural gas vehicles are all the rage.
Since UPS adopted them in 1989, companies like AT&T and Verizon Wireless have followed suit. So what is it about natural gas vehicles? And should you be purchasing them for your fleet, as well?
How Do Natural Gas Vehicles Work?
While conventional cars run by burning gasoline, natural gas vehicles run on compressed natural gas, also known as CNG.
To provide the energy needed to move the vehicle, the compressed natural gas is piped into the vehicle’s engine cylinders. This is where it mixes with air. The mixture is ignited by a sparkplug, which causes the combustion necessary to move the vehicle.
The Benefits & Challenges Of Using Natural Gas Fleet Vehicles
The initial draw toward natural gas vehicles was because they were perceived to put out fewer emissions. Because of this, they became popular in areas with strict emissions standards, like Los Angeles.
In addition to the fact that natural gas vehicles are perceived to be cleaner, they’re favoured by people who want to decrease U.S. dependence on foreign oil. Other consumers love them thanks to the fact that they’re much cheaper to operate than traditional gasoline engines.
Despite their many benefits, though, natural gas vehicles also come with their fair share of challenges. For one, natural gas vehicles are expensive to acquire and expensive to lease. This makes them financially unreachable for many organizations. What’s more, natural gas vehicles may depreciate more quickly and lose more value over time.
The Future Of Natural Gas Vehicles
Today, it’s estimated that roughly 8% of all North American Class 6-8 commercial vehicles will run on natural gas by 2017. With that in mind, it’s safe to say that the future of natural gas vehicles looks good. While the distribution of these vehicles remains a bit uncertain, most experts believe that they will wind up spread primarily throughout the trucking industry.
The Case For Natural Gas Vehicles
For consumers who want greener, more cost-efficient vehicles, natural gas fleets can work wonders to reduce expenses and provide outstanding functionality. Several large companies have already adopted natural gas vehicles into their fleets. It’s safe to say that this trend will only continue in coming years.
If you’re interested in getting natural gas vehicles for your fleet, the one thing you need to pay close attention to is maintenance. Like all vehicles, natural gas engines require maintenance. Nitro Nine has just the products you need to keep your engine running beautifully for years to come.
Contact us today to learn more about our innovative products, or how we can help you maintain your fleet!
