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New Technology Makes Natural Gas a Viable Replacement for Oil

Chuck, the OEMs have made NG vehicles for years. They were sold into fleets that had their own high pressure CNG refuelling stations - consumers did not have access to CNG for vehicles at the time. We don't need to push the OEMs, it's mature technology. We need to push the infrastructure to set up stations around town (not everyone will want to refuel at the garage, and you have more range when you can refuel on the highway.)

Compressed Natural Gas: Key to American Energy Independence?

Don't underestimate the value of having the OEMs produce NG vehicles in the past. That means all the safety, emissions, packaging, hardware and durability issues have been addressed. The vehicles were sold to fleets that had their own refueling facilities. Being able to purchase NG at the corner station is really the only thing left to make the concept acceptable to the public - look how many turned away from diesel vehicles because they could only purchase diesel fuel at a truck stop.

This is the perfect example for the government to step in a front the costs of adding NG to every gas station. With the lower cost, people will buy it, since there is really no downside consumers will see.