any owner operators w/ natural gas powered trucks?

We have a fleet of CNG trucks and dual fuels (diesel and CNG). Had issues with both but the CNG only trucks are definitely blowing up a lot more than the dual fuel. I can leave an all CNG truck in the dust whether it be on flat ground or otherwise. Not worth the headache IMO. Don't see the tax breaks sticking around with the direction the EPA is headed. My dual fuel has a 12.7 detroit and a CNG tank on one side. On that setup I definitely have more power than without the gas and 10+ MPG loaded.

 

The Nikola switched the fuel from CNG to Hydrogen; which will be produced by their own Solar Power Facilities. One of the leading causes of the switch, the myriad regulations concerning emissions, both current and future; Hydrogen has Zero emissions, therefor no barriers due to emissions.
The "Free Fuel" only applies to the first 25,000 units sold, unless they have changed their contracts. It was originally the first 2,500 orders, but demand was so high they increased the number. The latest Policy I'm aware of is located on their site, stating *Lease price may vary based on miles of fuel included with lease.
If you are really interested I believe they will be having an "Open House" in April 2017. Follow them on Facebook, they post updates to what's happening with the design and such.

 

Anyone ever seen a crash with a cng or lng truck? Just curious of how it would handle the same hit that would cause a diesel burner to go up in flames.

 

Should actually be safer, unless one is just very unlucky. Propane takes (unlike the moves state) are very resistant to exploding. I would liike to see any studies on this though,
Here is a mythbusters trying to make one explode.

 

I've seen propane tanks go through a shredder at a scrap yard and it made a pretty big firey boom. Didn't know if cng would be the same.

 

That should tell you something right there. Either you buy new with horrible resale value, or you buy a truck used that nobody wants.

With all it's flaws, the Ford was still way ahead of what it replaced (horse and buggy). At this point, CNG or LNG isn't there yet.

I'm all for alternative energy, if it's economically viable, without heavy government subsidies. So far, nobody has produced anything that measures up to good old diesel.