The Race To Natural Gas Among Heavy Duty Trucks Is On
Back on September 11th, Clean Energy Fuel Corps announced it will begin fueling the first heavy-duty natural gas trucks deployed by Bimbo Bakeries USA, whom is the largest baker in the United States. Trucking fleets across the nation continue are beginning to expand to natural gas fueling operations. Clean Energy and approximately 40 competitors have opened nearly 100 public heavy-duty, truck-friendly stations so far in 2014, this according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Natural gas is bringing huge opportunity in the trucking industry.
Clean Energy Fuel Corps is the largest provider of natural gas fuel for transportation in North America. The company builds and operates compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueling stations; manufacture CNG and LNG equipment and technologies for ourselves and other companies; develop renewable natural gas (RNG) production facilities; and deliver more CNG, LNG and Redeem RNG fuel than any other company in the U.S. CEFC is in the perfect position to take advantage of the trucking industry switching to natural gas.
Natural gas fuel costs up to $1.50 less per gallon than gasoline or diesel, depending on local market conditions. The use of natural gas fuel not only reduces operating costs for vehicles, but also reduces greenhouse gas emissions up to 30% in light-duty vehicles and 23% in medium- to heavy-duty vehicles. In addition, nearly all natural gas consumed in North America is produced domestically. North America has natural gas pockets all over the continent.
Imagine the fuel that heavy duty trucks can save by switching to natural gas. While testing is sure to continue and we’ll only get better, this is the future of the trucking industry and transportation. Your talking about $1.50 less a gallon, that is huge savings for heavy duty trucks, medium duty trucks and everyone in the industry. Once the perfect heavy duty truck is produced, they’ll quickly be all over the country. The savings in fuel will likely be enough to purchase such a truck.
At this time, we’re using less then one percent of natural gas for fuel. We’re using most of our natural gas for electric power, followed by the industrial sector but this doesn’t include fuel. You are looking at an explosion of natural gas coming and it will be for fuel. Everyone is running to create the technology for natural gas powered vehicles.
