LNG trucks

If you're saying that Swift and Schneider will soon be parking on the LNG island instead of on the diesel pumps then I give it two thumbs up.

 

To answer your first post, market 101. As demand increases, the price will too. Also, a resulting reduction in diesel consumption will increase supply, and lower the price of that. Eventually the cost to operate Class 8 on either fuel will balance. I agree with the comments about road tax. Once it goes beyond a novelty for a few megas, the government will not let that chew into tax revenue from offsets in diesel tax collection.

My prediction is that those crazy Arabs will watch and wait while the CNG infrastructure reaches a critical mass and then tank the price of crude, sucking away the market for it. If memory serves, that's what happened to LPG power in the 90's. A gallon of gas dropped to under a $1. Now the LPG conversion didn't make sense anymore.

That is, if our own government doesn't rob more taxpayer money to prop up the case for CNG fleets. Solyndra anyone? Actually they probably already are. Those truck stop chains aren't stuffing CNG equipment in because they suddenly grew a green streak. I'm sure there's grant money in play.

 

Question: Is there any requirements for courses that must be taken in order to be qualified to pump the fuel into the truck? I remember when my friend used to do propane he had to go for a course. Also, on a different front, is PFJ the only major retailer that is putting in the pumps? If it is coming, why hasn't TA/P or Love's begun building also?

 

I have seen several trucks with LNG tanks on them. They can run CNG if they want to but LNG gives them a longer run time. The Indiana Highway Dept ordered a lot for use as plow trucks. I am seeing more of them on the road. I talk to a beverage distributor in Indiana that said their whole fleet is switching over to CNG trucks. I didn't have any special training on how to use the CNG pumps where I work. I can see them being used in more of a regional capacity than an OTR capacity. Just wait until the Cummins 11.9G comes out.

 

I have been told that the LNG trucks run like crap.

All of the local (Portland) private refueling stations closed up.

All of the local private fleets that got involved in the pilot programs are no longer involved.

I think there is one shaker test truck still running, but in my opinion they are milking the Federal money getting thrown around on the concept.
I towed it last year (out of fuel) to the govnt run fueling station (the only one left in the area) and stayed to make sure he was able to get under way.
From the conversation I gathered that they were not making any changes/updates to the truck it had all the same issues for a year, and were only collecting data.

Pilot may be sucking up govnt funds for the refit, and/or may be partnering with some fleet to supply fuel or speculating.

Re - the gas tax deal you can buy a new Honda from the dealer that will refuel in your own garage with a booster pump off your gas line, NO ROAD TAXES - EMMISSIONS TESTING EXEMPT.