Not that kind. Let’s get an actual definition of Compressed Natural Gas. According to Wikipedia:

“Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a fossil fuel substitute for gasoline (petrol), diesel, or propane fuel. It is considered by some to be a more environmentally “clean” alternative to those fuels, although it produces greenhouse gases, and it is much safer than other motor fuels in the event of a fuel spill: natural gas is lighter than air, so it disperses quickly when leaked or spilled.

It is made by compressing natural gas (which is mainly composed of methane (CH4)), to less than 1% of its volume at standard atmospheric pressure. It is stored and distributed in hard containers, at a normal pressure of 200–220 bar (2900-3200 psi), usually in cylindrical or spherical shapes.

Compressed natural gas is used in traditional gasoline cars that are thus turned into bi-fuel (gasoline/CNG) cars. CNG/gasoline cars are increasingly used in Europe and South America due to rising gasoline prices.

In response to high fuel prices and environmental concerns, compressed natural gas is starting to be used also in light-duty passenger vehicles and pickup trucks, medium-duty delivery trucks, transit, school buses and trains.

It has a lower energy density compared to LNG (42%), because CNG is not liquified, and to diesel (25%) [1].”

Take a Stand

Do you know anyone with a CNG vehicle? We would like to know first hand of your accounts.

Make a Difference

The X-Prize started nothing less than a revolution in the development of new thinking on going into outer space, and now it’s back.  With the X-Prize Foundation’s third contest, it aims to push vehicle efficiency as far as it’s ever gone.  Imagine a world where cars can go 100 miles on each gallon of gasoline (or its equivalent).  This prize wants to make this sweet place a reality, and they are offering $10 million to the company that can do it best.  That amount may seem like a lot, but it’s a small price to pay for the benefit of filling up once a month to go the same amount of miles that you go today on multiple stops at the “convienience” station.

There are some great things going on behind the scenes with the 90 plus companies that want to win this prize, and we are going to look at a few so that you can form an opinion.

Aptera-Three wheelers that are classified as motorcycles.  Both hybrid and electric (100-130 MPG).

FuelVapor Technologies-Another trike, but this one runs on fumes…literally (92 MPG).

MDI/Zero Pollution-This car runs on, get this, air.  Compressed air pushes this car and a secondary fuel makes sure that you get over 100 MPG.

Tesla-You know these guys, they’re the ones that are into building electric vehicles.  Pretty popular with the press.

Venture Vehicles-Zip around on three wheels from Venture and expect 100 MPG from either an electric or hybrid system.

Zap-This company already sells a bunch of cars.  They’re worth a look if you have the time.

As great as all of this is, we can’t let it make us complacent.  Even if new fuel efficiencies take us to places we’ve never been before, and even if we’re saving gallons and money, we still have to keep innovating for the future because the problem hasn’t been solved.

Check out the X-Prize website for all the info.

The key component of this post’s title is fuel, and we are definitely not talking about gasoline.

Here’s the car: The Honda Civic GX

If you don’t want to click on the link, then we’ll just tell you that it is a compressed natural gas car (CNG).  What is the main benefit to this alternative fuel?  It can have, for now at least, a much lower price than what you are currently paying at the pump.  Aside from that, it burns cleaner than gasoline and when you buy you are buying a fuel that was probably made in the U.S.

The car’s $25K price tag is even softer on the wallet when you take into account the tax credits, and at $1.50 per gallon for the fuel, there are even more savings to be had.  The one issue linked to that $1.50 number is that it relies on a home refueling unit, so there’ll be some extra cost there.  There are supposed to be tax credits for the home install though, but make sure to do some research in your state to find out what is available.

The advantages never come without disadvantages, and the biggest for this type of vehicle seems to be the issue of scarcity.  The car is hard to find and fueling stations are not ubiquitous.  Even if these are big barriers, we still encourage you to crunch some numbers and see if it might work out for you.

Don’t like Honda or don’t want to plunk down the $25K?  You can convert your existing vehicle to CNG.  This link is a good place to start if you want to go that route.  Oh, and you’ll probably need to know where to get fuel.  Try this service station finder.

Note: We know this post runs opposite of saving money on natural gas in the home, but if a subject will save money in a different area and help the environment at the same time, we are obligated to report.