Scott Benson

Will Automakers Switch to Natural Gas?

As someone involved with natural gas (NG) vehicles in the 1990s, I can say that NG vehicles are a non-starter. We've already tried this (NG Chevy pickups, Ford & Dodge vans). Even BP/Amoco saw the handwriting on the wall and closed all of their NG stations in the 1990s (huge electric expense in compressing the gas, as well as for maintenance of the stations). NG is not a problem-free energy source. All NG vehicles need tank inspections every 3 years from inspectors that don't exist -- and if a cylinder is damaged, it has to be removed. Drivers (picture 50 y.o. secretaries) are not happy sitting on 3,600 psi+ cylinders (that take up space). If you've never heard the explosion caused by a pipe breaking on a vehicle during a NG fillup, you are lucky. The cost for installing the heavy tanks (made with pricy metals) is in the thousands. There are no NG stations anymore -- which is the biggest problem. This is the next great alternative vehicle fuel? Forget it. Boone Pickens is out of his mind.