Refueling Alternative Fuel Vehicles

I have a 10 year old vehicle that would run on E85 as well as gasoline.  I didn't go looking for it -  just happened to be what a dealer had on the lot during a rebate program.  The lesson learned was that for an alternative fuel to be widely successful, there must be a practical refueling system.

 

The sale of electric vehicles will be limited by the cost of the battery unit, but it does appear there has been planning for recharging.  Ford, for example, will be selling their recharging unit for the new electric Focus through Best Buy.  And some urban parking garages are installing recharging stations. 

 

Which brings us to CNG.  My suggestion as a good first step in building prospective customer confidence would be if the gascos would start converting to CNG themselves.  Rather than spending money running TV ads and lobbying government (taxpayers) to subsidize conversions, spend the money on grants to their contractors.  Put signs on the sides of the vehicles that they are burning clean, cheap, plentiful U.S. natural gas.  Talisman was just fined for a diesel spill at a well site.  Why weren't they using CNG (or propane) instead? 

 

 

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Ann Ticopa on January 8, 2011 at 11:38am
Unfortunately, the actual conversion cost per vehicle would probably be at least 10 times that.  Also, only some of the state-owned vehicles have EPA certified retrofit kits available, some couldn't accomodate the bulky tanks, and some have high enough mileage that sonversion wouldn't be worthwhile.  The cost of having vehicles out of service for the conversion would have to be factored in.  Plus, it appears that, unlike NYS, PA doesn't have an existing network of government CNG fast fill stations.

 

NGVAmerica's FAQ

http://www.ngvc.org/pdfs/FAQs_Converting_to_NGVs.pdf  

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Permalink Reply by paleface on January 8, 2011 at 1:14pm
Also engine life is reduced greatly if you change it over to ng where as the engine was made for that fuel originaly,its a much dryer fuel than gasoline or diesel so lacks lubricants.
Permalink Reply by Tioga County, PA Gas Watch on January 8, 2011 at 12:34pm

"Talisman was just fined for a diesel spill at a well site.  Why weren't they using CNG (or propane) instead?"

 

The diesel was likely not being used as a vehicle/equipment fuel, but as one of the additives that is used in the drill process.

Permalink Reply by Ann Ticopa on January 8, 2011 at 2:02pm

I checked eFacts and Google and the most specific info I found was this quote (soon after it happened) from a Talisman representative:

"The source of the spill, he [Mark Scheuerman] said, is believed to be a drilling rig component, but he couldn't be more specific.  ..."

Permalink Reply by William Ladd on January 13, 2011 at 9:57am

Hello Ann,

 

I inadvertantly  tried the e85 fuel one time  when Walmart had the fueling  station at Mansfield Penn.  I did not realize it was E85. it was the only pump that was not busy.

 

My vehicle ran fine but there was a decided lessening of gas milage the next day or two until I had to buy fuel again.

Walmart station was very convient place to purchase fuel but the discontinued selling fuel there and demolished the entire fueling facility.

 

One time I think they had water in their storage tanks.  Not exactly sure what happened there but many vehicles were having difficulties at one period a few years ago.

 

Bill L.

aka Bummy 

Permalink Reply by Ann Ticopa on January 13, 2011 at 12:48pm

Sure that wasn't E10?  Back around 2005-2006 there was talk about Walmart selling E-85, mostly at Sam's Club locations.  But I don't find any indication that it actually happened.  Walmart does say on their website that they sell E10 at some stations.

http://walmartstores.com/Sustainability/9178.aspx

 

I miss the Walmart gas station too. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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