As the price of diesel hovers around $4.00 a gallon and from the looks of it, will only be going up, the attention of the trucking industry turns to alternative fuels. Love’s, Pilot Flying J, and TravelCenters have all expressed interest in developing infrastructure to support liquefied natural gas (LNG).
LNG is priced at around $1.50 less per gallon than diesel despite being taxed at almost twice the rate.
It also releases 23% less greenhouse gasses when consumed by heavy-duty vehicles, and engines that run it can be much easier and less expensive to maintain. Currently 98% of the LNG that is consumed in the US comes from North America, which means more jobs and less dependence on foreign oil.
Clean Energy Fuels Corp announced on Wednesday that they have completed their first step in the process of providing LNG fueling stations catering to commercial vehicles nationwide. By the end of the year, Clean Energy expects to have 70 LNG truck fueling stations around the nation, most on highways that link the nation’s major metropolitan areas and around major warehouse distribution centers. Pilot Flying J has embraced the new stations with open arms, allowing them to open locations at existing truck stops.
Last year, Clean Energy received a $150 million infusion from Chesapeake Energy Company to build a nationwide network of LNG fueling stations. With 70 stations completed by the end of the year, and another 70 to 80 in the works for completion next year, it looks like drivers and companies who are fed up with fuel prices may have a viable alternative sooner than they were expecting.
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Source: ttnews, ccjdigital
Image Source: ingworldnews
James C says
I love the part about ” despite being taxed at almost twice the rate”.
Like, WTF?
It’s cleaner, so using it means a less polluted environment. So the government, in all its infinite wisdom, wants to make it more expensive.
Was this a world of common sense we were born in? o.O
Greg Lightning says
Of course James…Big government gotta keep that tax monkey on us so we can pay for all the wonderful dealing’s they have to pay for…
Sal says
Since its cheaper then diesel, what i want to know is whats the average mileage that truck will get with one gallon LNG vs one gallon of diesel lets say at 75k lbs? Does anyone know?
Detroit says
Didnt any drivers see $1.50 lower!!!!!! wahooo!!!! im a O/O thats BIxg
KBC says
Let me tell you, I live part time in Thailand, years ago their government had a big push for LNG, which I think they call LPG…..it started out cheaper. However, the price is now comparable to diesl and gas, not to mention the cost people and companies incurred in converting their vehicles to use this fuel….Now people are wondering why they ever switched…just another scam