Why Use Them?
With
the rising cost of gasoline, tougher emission standards and
the growing public demand for better environmental policies,
natural gas vehicles provide an attractive alternative. Many
fleet customers look into NGVs in response to government or
internal mandates for clean-air policies. In the process,
they encounter a number of measurable benefits that make good
business sense, as well.
Lower Operating Costs
NGVs are less expensive to operate than traditional gasoline
powered vehicles. Using natural gas can save you up to 15%
in fuel costs alone (25% in Canada). Add to that the increasing
number of available grants and incentives, and the savings
far outweigh the investment.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Because natural gas burns cleaner than most other fuels, maintenance
costs are often less. Engine parts such as spark plugs stay
cleaner while operating on natural gas.
Convenience
Factory-built NGVs offer the same high-level performance,
service and warranty you would expect with any new vehicle.
As more major vehicle manufacturers build NGVs, theyre
becoming easier to purchase.
An abundant natural resource, natural gas is used as a vehicle
fuel all over the world, and quickly becoming the alternative
fuel of choice. Filling up with natural gas is virtually the
same as filling up with gasoline. You drive up to the pump
(which looks very similar to a gasoline pump), fill up your
tank using a nozzle, and in a few minutes you're on the road
again. Because of technological advances in the development
of underground pipes and on-site refueling devices, stations
can be located almost anywhere that natural gas can be piped.
This greatly increases availability and convenience.
Safety
NGVs are as safe as any gasoline-powered vehicle. There are
over one million NGVs in use around the world, and the safety
record is excellent. With Clean Energy, fueling your NGV is
just as safe as driving it. Our state-of-the-art fueling equipment
offers the latest in safety standard and features.
Environmentally Friendly
NGVs received
some of the highest rankings for environmental performance.
Using natural gas is one of the best ways to reduce harmful
air pollutants. Thats because natural gas burns cleaner
than gasoline and other alternative fuels, reducing tailpipe
emissions by up to 95%. In addition, factory-built NGVs produce
emission levels lower than any other fuel except hydrogen,
even lower than some electric cars when power plant emissions
are taken into account.
NGVs also reduce emissions of carbon dioxide, the principal
"greenhouse" gas that contributes to global warming.
NGVs emit virtually no particulate matter (PM), a harmful
microscopic component of air pollution that penetrates deeply
into the lungs. NGVs dont contain benzene, either, a
common constituent of gasoline and gasoline engine exhaust
and a well-known carcinogen. And because natural gas is transported
by underground pipeline directly to refueling stations, transport
spills are eliminated. In the event of a leak, there is no
risk of soil or water contamination because of natural gas's
non-carcinogenic, non-toxic and non-corrosive qualities.
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