With fueling costs of natural gas vehicles roughly one-third
of traditional unleaded gasoline fueled vehicles, motorists are sure to embrace
the new technology. Chesapeake Energy
spokesperson Phil Pfister explains how these vehicles have fared in other
states.
“Right now in Oklahoma,
motorists that are fueling up are fueling up for 99 cents a gallon equivalent,
versus—we’re paying about $3.50 for gasoline here in West
Virginia. In Louisiana
motorists are fueling up for about $1.49 a gallon equivalent. So, there is a lot of cost benefit. Additionally, it produces a lot cleaner
exhaust stream; less CO2, less carbon monoxide, less particulate matter.”
However, Pfister says that, while these benefits are a win
for consumers, automobile manufactures and the industry as a whole still face
significant roadblocks.
“One of the big challenges is vehicle availability and, also, fueling
availability. Both of those challenges—where do you get fuel and where do you
get the vehicles that can use the fuel?—are, at this point, sort of extensive
challenges. It’s about a $10,000 extra incremental cost for the purchase of a
new vehicle to have one as this secondary fuel system. So, the vehicle can not
only use gasoline, but can run on natural gas if you have an opportunity to
fuel that way.”
Manufactures such as Ford, General Motors, Dodge, and Honda
are already producing models of natural gas powered vehicles.
As for fueling availability, Pfister says the natural gas
industry also has a lot of work to do in building an infrastructure, like a
network of fueling stations, to meet the needs of motorists.
“As the market begins to develop, we’ll see more
opportunities to fuel and we’ll see more vehicle options available. Initially,
some of the first movers tend to be fleets. In West
Virginia what we are seeing are companies like
Chesapeake Energy and Antero Resources and actually the state as well–state
Department of Highways—all dipping their toe in the water as the fueling
becomes available.
"We anticipate have at
least four fueling stations online this year in the I-79 area and then,
hopefully, shortly thereafter along I-64 and I-77. So, we’ll start to see the
fueling infrastructure in sort of the larger cities located along interstates in
the state where you have the most traffic.”
As expected, mechanics and auto shops will also need to make
some changes. But they won’t need to become
familiar with a whole new engine, says Pfister.
“There are some additional safety needs that need to be
considered. It comes down to the fuel system. The workspace may need a little
bit of modification so if there were some sort of fuel leak, that the natural
gas could dissipate out of the building. Whereas, with gasoline or diesel
you’re also going to have similar concerns, but those liquid fuels will pool on
the ground.
"Natural gas is in many times more favorable because it’s going to
dissipate up and into the atmosphere. But, if it’s in a closed environment, a
shop environment, you’re going to have those challenges with gasoline, diesel,
and natural gas. But, with natural gas you may want to ventilate the building
just a little bit differently.”
But even despite all of these challenges, Pfister says the
switch to natural gas powered vehicles will be well worth it. It’s complicated,
though, as the industry has to change the attitudes and habits of an entire
culture that’s been dependent on a rival industry for generations.
“You know, we’re trying to change 100 years of history. When
the Model T rolled off the lines about 100 years ago, there were no places to
fuel them. You had to buy gasoline from
a drug store and, gradually, the oil companies installed gas stations along the
roadways. So we’re dealing with 100 years of history of fueling our vehicles
with gasoline and diesel. Trying to change 100 years of history takes a long
time and it’s being done in baby steps.”
Currently, there are 14 natural gas fueling stations spread
throughout the state that were built during a 1991 initiative lead by
then-Gov. Gaston Caperton.