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NGVi Resources, Publications & Frequently Asked Questions
NGVi offers the following resources, publications and information. Should you need training or consulting services regarding the use natural gas as a transportation fuel, just call 702-254-4180 or click here.
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FAQ
Technical Papers
An Ounce of Prevention: The Nuts and Bolts of CNG Fuel System Inspection
Leo Thomason is the Executive Director of Natural Gas Vehicle Institute (NGVi) where he applies his more than 25 years of alternative fuels experience to developing and serving as the lead instructor for a variety of natural gas related training courses for fleets around the world. Leo developed and is the lead instructor for NGVi’s natural gas vehicle fuel system and fuel storage cylinder inspection training course. In this Technical Paper, Leo answers the most commonly asked questions about compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel system inspections.
Clause and Effect: What to Look For In an Effective Natural Gas Transportation Fuel Contract
 Choosing a third-party operator to provide natural gas fueling can be an excellent option for fleets who don’t want the responsibility of owning or maintaining fueling equipment. However, fleets who choose this option need to understand how natural gas fueling works and must articulate your needs clearly to avoid the need for costly remediation. This, of course, requires an impartial expert who understands the subtleties of what is involved in the contractual relationship between a fuel provider and a fleet operator. Omissions or vague and uncertain provisions are usually settled in favor of the party drafting an agreement. Usually that party is the one that controls the money. Natural Gas Vehicle Institute (NGVi) highlights these contract suggestions, learned from our experience in working directly with fleets, which will save you money and headaches down the road.
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Publications
Natural Gas Vehicles: The Decision Starts Here
From light- to medium- to heavy-duty options, natural gas vehicles are becoming an increasingly popular addition to fleets’ alternative fuel vehicle fleet mix. This publication is designed to help fleet managers learn more about the use of natural gas as a transportation fuel and natural gas vehicles (NGVs). It provides an overview of natural gas as an energy source and a review of NGV and fueling technologies.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is an alternative fuel vehicle?
The Energy Policy Act (EPAct) defines alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to include any dedicated, flexible-fuel or dual-fuel vehicle designed to operate on at least one alternative fuel. AFVs are available in a variety of models ranging from sedans, SUVs, pickup trucks and vans to heavy-duty buses and trucks.
What is a converted or conversion vehicle?
When an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) vehicle that was originally designed to use conventional gasoline is altered aftermarket to run on alternative fuel or a combination of gasoline and alternative fuel, the vehicle is considered a conversion vehicle. It can also be referred to as retrofitting or a retrofitted vehicle. The most common conversions are altering vehicles to run on compressed natural gas (CNG). There are essentially three types of conversions: dedicated, dual-fuel and bi-fuel. Dedicated operates exclusively on natural gas. Dual-fuel has separate fuel tanks for the gasoline and natural gas and the desired fuel is accessed by flipping a switch to select tanks. Bi-fuels utilize both fuels in the combustion change simultaneously in specific calibrated proportions. All conversions (except pure battery electric) must meet EPA standards. Converted vehicles operating in California must also meet California Air Resource Board (CARB) rules. Conversions should be completed by qualified system retrofitters using EPA-/CARB-Certified systems from Small Volume OEMs (SVM).
What incentives and laws are relative to alternative fuel vehicles?
There are many federal and state laws and incentives related to alternative fuels and vehicles, fuel efficiency and other transportation-related topics. For more information, visit the following websites:
IRS’s Alternative Motor Vehicle Credit information: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/corporations/article/0,,id=202341,00.html
EPA’s Fuel Economy Tax Incentives Information Center:
http://www.fueleconomy.gov/feg/taxcenter.shtml
What is natural gas?
Natural gas is 90 percent methane and contains a mixture of hydrocarbons that is produced from gas wells or from crude petroleum production. It is clean burning, domestic and readily available for consumers.
Can natural gas be used in any vehicle?
No. There are vehicles that are made specifically to run on natural gas (“dedicated”) and others that are bi-fuels that can use natural gas or conventional fuels (like gasoline or diesel). The two types of natural gas that can be stored in a vehicle are compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG).
Are natural gas vehicles available?
Yes, there is one light-duty original engine manufacturer (OEM) commercially available CNG vehicle- the Honda Civic GX. Other natural gas vehicles are available through conversions or system retrofits by small volume manufacturers. These vehicles include light-, medium- and heavy-duty vehicles and include applications from taxi fleets, to transit and school buses, to refuse haulers. According to NGVAmerica there are over 120,000 NGVs on the road and over 1,100 fueling stations in the US.
How does NGV performance compare to conventional fuel vehicles?
Typical range for a NGV run on CNG or LNG is less than a conventionally fueled vehicle because of the lower energy content of natural gas. Extra storage tanks can increase range, but the extra weight might displace payload capacity. However, horsepower, acceleration and cruise power is the same.
What is the future of natural gas?
There has been much discussion recently about natural gas being the immediate solution for our nation’s oil dependence. It is produced domestically and an extensive infrastructure already exists. It is also helping to pave the way for future technology development such as fuel cells vehicles as natural gas is a good source of hydrogen for hydrogen powered fuel cell vehicles. Furthermore, as both hydrogen and natural gas are gaseous fuels, the lessons learned for developing natural gas technologies may pave the way for further hydrogen technology production.
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