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Natural Gas Car? How to get yours…

Writing by Sharon on Sunday, 14 of September , 2008 at 2:03 pm

Pros and Cons of Natural Gas Powered Car

Are these the Cleanest Cars on Earth? The new Honda Civic GX is powered by compressed natural gas, which is methane gas, the simplest and cleanest burning hydrocarbon available. This vehicle is still and internal combustion engine, but it claims to be the cleanest burning of any vehicle to date.

PRO:

Advanced Technology Partial-Zero-Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV)*
Fueled by Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) for nearly zero emissions
Convenient Phill^® home refueling (optional)^†
HOV lane access in many states
113-hp, 1.8-Liter, 16-Valve, SOHC i-VTEC^® 4-cylinder engine
Priced reasonably at $25,000
Since natural gas is lighter than air, any leaks that do occur do not enter the groundwater system and do not contribute to groundwater contamination.

*AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero-Emission Vehicle), as certified by California Air Resources Board (CARB) in California and states that have adopted California emissions standards.

CONS

Storage of compressed natural gas on board the vehicle restricts cargo space.
Consumer reports claim the Honda Civic GX CNG has a shorter range of approximately 180 miles.
The price of natural gas at the limited fuel stations vary greatly and may not be cheaper than regular gas.
Vehicle is still a combustion engine and still causing greenhouse gases.
There is only an approximate 20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the cause of radiation (heat), from natural gases as compared to regular fossil fuels. Greenhouse gases absorb this infrared radiation and trap the heat in the atmosphere.
Sales of the Honda Civic GX CNG are also limited to very few states at this time.
Still relying on imported fuel: The U.S.current consumption of Natural Gas is larger than U.S. production.
An increase in consumption would mean increased dependency on foreign fuel. Alternative production of natural gas could be realized from biomass.

Resources:

Consumer Reports: http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/cars/new-cars/first-drives/2008-honda-civic-gx-cng-first-look-3-08/overview/honda-civic-gx-cng-first-look.htm Gas2.0: http://gas2.org/2008/05/05/the-cleanest-cars-on-earth-honda-civic-gx-and-other-natural-gas-vehicles-ngvs/#more-401

Natural Gas Vehicles for America: http://www.ngvc.org/about_ngv/ngv_environ.html

Energy Information Administration: http://www.eia.doe.gov/basics/quickgas.html

Honda Civic GX: http://automobiles.honda.com/civic-gx/