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Century To Explore Natural Gas Vehicle Conversions, Filling Station
August 7, 2013
The Town of Century will explore using natural gas to power some town vehicles and the possibility of a filling station.
The town’s council has authorized gas department head Eddie Hammond and consultant Debbie Nickles to pursue natural gas vehicle conversions and a filling station. There’s no set date by which they will report back to the town council.
There is currently one public CNG filling station in Escambia County. The station, located at 6722 Pine Forest Road, was a joint project between the City of Pensacola, Pensacola Energy (formerly Energy Services of Pensacola) and ECUA. The $1.8 million filling station opened in October 2012. It is operated and maintained by Pensacola Energy and features four “fast fill” hoses as well as 90 time-fill dispensers which can be used to refuel vehicles overnight.
The City of Pensacola also operates a private CNG filling station for their natural gas fleet, and ECUA plans to open a second site at their Ellyson Industrial Park location this fall.
Pictured: Escambia County’s first CNG filling station opened on Pine Forest Road in October 2012. NorthEscambia.com file photo, click to enlarge.
Comments
11 Responses to “Century To Explore Natural Gas Vehicle Conversions, Filling Station”
I think I’ll wait for the Mr. Fusion.
There are several issues that make this one smell a little fishy. First, the range of natural gas vehicles is severely limited, and it’s questionable whether a natural gas vehicle would make it to Pensacola or Mobile and back without a fill up. Second, if these vehicles were financially feasible, auto makers would be rolling them out, and private enterprise would be building natural gas filling stations on every corner.If Century does a true actuary study of this issue, I’m sure they will find that it is impossible for the tax payers to ever get their investment back on this enterprise. This is another one where the tax payers stand to lose a bunch of money, and the money lenders and developers win. There is a basic rule of government spending though, if you don’t spend lots of money, the potential for kickbacks is very limited
CONSIDERING:
“10-15 thousand dollars more for a new vehicle on cng.
5-6 thousand dollars to convert a vehicle to cng.”
Yep, so let us assume $15,000 more. What else shall we assume? 10,000 miles per year? 20 mpg equivalent? That would be 500 gallons per year. Assume current difference ($3.60 per gallon – $2.20 per gallon equivalent = $1.40 per gallon saved or $700 savings per year.)
At that rate, it would take more than 21 years to break even. (not counting interest) Lower end would be a third of that and even then still take more than 7 years to break even.
This could be offset by greater vehicle longevity, not having to replace a car as often but with vehicles lasting more than 200,000 miles already, it might not be much of a factor.
Gasoline prices could drop or go up.
Natural gas prices could rise or drop.
You might drive more or less than 10,000 miles per year.
Bigger vehicles which get poor fuel economy and cover many miles would pay off most quickly.
We shall see.
David for Mr. Fusion powered cars
CNG has been around in other countries…can’t believe we are just starting to build CNG filling stations! We need more of these to make the CNG cars “sale-able”!
Don’t forget David….
10-15 thousand dollars more for a new vehicle on cng.
5-6 thousand dollars to convert a vehicle to cng.
Regular tank inspections, which probably are not free.
The system does work well, about equal mileage. But at todays costs it could take 10 yrs for you to make up the difference on your vehicle.
I know it has to start somewhere to slowly bring these costs down and quickly make cng costs go up.
ANSWERING:
“I’m interested in seeing what kind of mileage they get, and annual costs compared to gasoline. “
Consumer reports at
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2012/03/the-natural-gas-alternative/index.htm
says Honda sells CNG Civics new, claims a maximum range of 250 miles but the low fuel indicator kicks in around 130 miles. (They have a lot of information including possible home refueling systems.)
“Local” fuel cost is currently around $2.20/per gasoline gallon equivalent. They say fueling from home takes all night and currently has some moisture problems but is even cheaper than station prices. They don’t say how much cheaper.
“I’m also wondering how easy it is to find filling stations. I can’t see it being very easy making a cross country run without knowing where you can fill up.”
It’s hard; they are few and far between.
According to
http://www.cngprices.com/station_map.php
after Pensacola, your nearest sources would be
Valdosta, Georgia,
Tuscalosa, Alabama,
Jackson Mississippi,
Kenner, Louisiana.
Right now, your best hope would be if you intended it for local driving and then only if you normally drive near Pine Forest Road in Pensacola or they open one in Century.
David for improvements
Does anyone know someone who has a converted vehicle? I’m interested in seeing what kind of mileage they get, and annual costs compared to gasoline.
I’m also wondering how easy it is to find filling stations. I can’t see it being very easy making a cross country run without knowing where you can fill up.
Great, Lets try anything to get off imported oil
energy independence from Middle East
domestic energy supply increasing
lower cost per mile
better engine life
no four cent per gallon tax
safer than gasoline
safer than diesel
infrastructure for the future
fewer greenhouse gas emissions
Once again Century is on the forefront of the future.
Waste of time….money… Who’s going to support it? Cant even get water bills correct. Work on basic issues first.
Very expensive to get into. Very slow payback.