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LNG Class 8 Truck Drivers

Discussion in 'Questions To Truckers From The General Public' started by MdG, Sep 17, 2011.

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  1. Sep 17, 2011 #1
    MdG

    MdG Bobtail Member

    3
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    Sep 17, 2011
    Calgary, AB
    0
    Hi - I am doing a research project for school on comparing LNG and Diesel class 8 costs. I am wondering how best to invite participants with LNG experience and what would motivate them to participate. I am thinking of having the survey on-line and holding a draw for an i-phone or i-pad but am wondering if that will work?

    So how best to promote my research to target drivers or fleet managers with LNG experience and what should the incentive be to get high participation? Any thoughts or comments are most appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Mike
     
    MdG, Sep 17, 2011
    MdG, Sep 17, 2011
    #1
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  3. Sep 18, 2011 #2
    7122894003481

    7122894003481 Bobtail Member

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    1,996
    Sep 6, 2011
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    Not enough information given. Are you needing them to drive to a certain location for research, or are you talking about just a survey they can fill out and be done with?
     
    7122894003481, Sep 18, 2011
    7122894003481, Sep 18, 2011
    #2
  4. Sep 18, 2011 #3
    Saddletramp1200

    Saddletramp1200 Road Train Member

    2,111
    2,836
    Sep 4, 2011
    Houston Texas,USA
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    Are you asking if class 8 trucks will run on LNG? More than likley. Diesels run on most anything. Not good, but will run. We need much more info.
     
    Saddletramp1200, Sep 18, 2011
    Saddletramp1200, Sep 18, 2011
    #3
  5. Sep 18, 2011 #4
    Bent Wrench

    Bent Wrench Medium Load Member

    588
    205
    Aug 11, 2009
    Cornholio, OR
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    There are only a few LNG trucks on the road.

    It is my opinion that they are just going through the motions milking the government cheese. There is only one filling station left here in Portland and it is government run not open for retail.

    The drivers tell me that there are no improvements being made to the trucks. They have had the same problems from the start and don't seem to be getting addressed.
     
    Bent Wrench, Sep 18, 2011
    Bent Wrench, Sep 18, 2011
    #4
  7. Sep 19, 2011 #5
    MdG

    MdG Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Sep 17, 2011
    Calgary, AB
    0
    It would be an annonymous survey style where participants answer a questionaire (probably around 15 minutes to complete). The questions will relate to the ownership, operations, and maintenance costs of LNG class 8 trucks and how they compare with diesel. So my problem is to find drivers with LNG experience, provide them with the survey and then the incentive to complete it (the school requires a minimum of 30 respondants).

    Judging from this forum, there are a lot of drivers that go on-line so I'm thinking that promoting a on-line survey with a chance to win a prize may work. But before I try this I'm trying to get a sense on whether this will work (especially given drivers are usually on the road and not in front of a computer). How do I target the drivers with LNG experience, and what sort of prize should I offer? Any ideas or thoughts appreciated.

    Thanks,
    Mike
     
    MdG, Sep 19, 2011
    MdG, Sep 19, 2011
    #5
  8. Sep 22, 2011 #6
    bulletproof77

    bulletproof77 Medium Load Member

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    Oct 2, 2009
    Victorville, CA
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    We have several LNG tractors where I work (the Linde Group)..Ironically, we also haul a lot of LNG from our waste to energy facilities, in addition to other industrial/medical gases, including liquid hydrogen. We have 4 LNG tractors at our terminal, and frankly NO-ONE likes driving them. Their range is very short when compared to diesel engine. We have problems starting in cold weather and the power is not the same when climbing hills. These tractors are limited to short "city" deliveries. Fueling on average can take as long as 45 min. when compared to a diesel..So far, not so good, no matter how "green" they are.
     
    bulletproof77, Sep 22, 2011
    bulletproof77, Sep 22, 2011
    #6
  9. Sep 23, 2011 #7
    BJnobear

    BJnobear Heavy Load Member

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    Aug 24, 2010
    PCB, FL
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    I was never a fan of compressed gas as a fuel, one random hit in the right spot and you end up with a BLEVE. That is a really large explosion to the uninitiated. Looking at current prices (9/23) LNG is well over twice the cost of diesel.

    This is a non starter as a research project. I humbly suggest fuel cell technology from the shuttle for trucks.
     
    BJnobear, Sep 23, 2011
    BJnobear, Sep 23, 2011
    #7
  10. Sep 24, 2011 #8
    MdG

    MdG Bobtail Member

    3
    0
    Sep 17, 2011
    Calgary, AB
    0
    Hmmm. From what I've read, natural gas may be even safer than other fuels as it disipates rapidly. They say that the possibility of a BLEVE is a myth. http://www.netl.doe.gov/publications/proceedings/02/ngt/Quillen.pdf

    There are many companies switching to CNG or LNG. These include Ryder, UPS, Heckman. Cummins Westport has 10,000 LNG/CNG engines on the road. Lots of trucks in the port areas of southern CA use natural gas with the driving force being the lower price of CNG and LNG. I'm not sure what price you are quoting but typically LNG/CNG is $1 to $1.50 to even $2 lower than diesel gallon equivalent. Here's a recent article on the trend: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Clean-Energy-CEO-Littlefair-bw-2413185554.html?x=0

    Anyway, the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel is happening. What I'm trying to find out is whether it really is cheaper or whether there are other factors such as maintenance, repairs, additional upfront cost, training etc that impact the fuel price advantage. Where/how can I reach drivers who have experience with these LNG/CNG engines?
     
    MdG, Sep 24, 2011
    MdG, Sep 24, 2011
    #8
  11. Sep 24, 2011 #9
    gravdigr

    gravdigr Road Train Member

    1,210
    1,121
    May 2, 2011
    Hollidaysburg, PA
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    LNG is not compressed gas, it is LIQUID natural gas. Just heard an interview with a company about LNG the other day. I guess Pilots are getting LNG fill stations installed across the country and truck makers are just now starting to roll out LNG power trucks. They are supposed to be cleaner and cheaper to run on fuel than traditional diesel. Ranges will go from 800-1,200mi depending on fuel tank size.
     
    gravdigr, Sep 24, 2011
    gravdigr, Sep 24, 2011
    #9
  12. Oct 19, 2012 #10
    seawind

    seawind Medium Load Member

    383
    121
    May 8, 2009
    West Tennessee
    0
    I understand why you want to compare the traditional diesel cost versus LNG (or CNG). There are very few commercial fleets using LNG right now. However, companies like Waste Management, have been using CNG/LNG for several years. WM was one of the test fleets. They still use it in the test areas, like Chicago, IL.

    Pilot/Flying fuel stops have nearly completed their installation of pumps in preparation for the first fleets of commercial vehicles to start the conversion. T/A and Petro truck stops have started the process of installing pumps also.

    Finding people with first hand experience will be a very short list. You may be better off contacting WM or another test company.
     
    seawind, Oct 19, 2012
    seawind, Oct 19, 2012
    #10
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