07-31-2008, 02:33 PM | #1 | |
I used to be Dragoneye...
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GM: Natural Gas is an enticing alternative
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07-31-2008, 02:50 PM | #2 | |
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I think it's a great idea. I don't think concentrating on ONE new energy source is going to do the job...we really need to use everything we can. Every car doesn't have to run on the same fuel.
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Removing weight has surprisingly little effect on fuel economy
Engine break-in procedure | Gear ratios 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4 5.3 (190,000 miles and going strong) 1980 Buick Lesabre family heirloom with 36,000 miles 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit 2 door I5-2.5 5spd DD lease Quote:
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07-31-2008, 03:10 PM | #3 |
Drives: 1998 S-10 Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Bham, AL
Posts: 44
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Ford has it on there F150's now. BUT, It's a $9500 option and you can't alternate fuels. Its about a 50 to 60 cent savings per gallon. So, it would take 19,000 gallons of gas to have a return on your investment. Say you only get 15 miles to the gallon. Thats roughly 2.85 million miles if my math is correct.
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07-31-2008, 06:05 PM | #4 |
Drives: 01 Z06 08 CTS 07 Avy LTZ Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Golden, CO
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They talked about this on CNN the other night. Potential problem with natural gas as an automotive fuel is it will put even more strain on supplies driving the cost way up, kind of like corn for ethanol. E85 has gone from arond $2.00 to up to $3.00 now becasue of the price of corn which has been driven up by the use of it as ethanol.
One commentator suggested we use different fuels for different segments of the market. Like natural gas would be used mostly for heating our homes which would keep supply in check and help with the use of heating oil being used across the Northeast. Use Nuclear and other green sources such as Geo-Thermal and clean coal and wind for electricity and so on. Sounded like a good plan to me. |
07-31-2008, 07:48 PM | #5 |
cheap plastic member
Drives: Mazda6s Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Arlington
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Honda has been selling the CNG poweredCivic GX for at least 10 years.
Nobody buys them. CNG is like 130 octane and leaves little or no carbon deposits . |
07-31-2008, 11:27 PM | #6 |
Drives: Pontiac Solstice GXP Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MISSISSIPPI
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Too bad we can't have nuclear powered cars.
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07-31-2008, 11:35 PM | #7 |
Drives: 01 Z06 08 CTS 07 Avy LTZ Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Golden, CO
Posts: 406
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Remember 'Back to the Future" We need a "Mr Fusion"
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08-01-2008, 02:33 AM | #8 | |
the nerd king
Drives: 2005 scion xb... Join Date: Jul 2007
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Quote:
they have other cars too, but they use the honda as their daily driver. |
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08-01-2008, 11:37 PM | #9 |
Drives: 2006 Cobalt, 2004 Taurus wagon Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: California
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Edmunds has a CNG powered Civic in their long term fleet and they really like it. I'm not sure if this will really catch on though. I'm thinking the ideas Nickdago posted are more in line with what will really happen. I do applaud GM for being open to the idea though.
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08-02-2008, 11:18 AM | #10 |
Blessed
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The Navy uses CNG powered cars. The catch is they have filling stations on base.
But the mileage is really low.
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08-02-2008, 01:05 PM | #11 | |
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Yeah, there's lots of CNG vehicles in government fleets. They seem to work well enough.
__________________
Removing weight has surprisingly little effect on fuel economy
Engine break-in procedure | Gear ratios 2002 GMC Sierra 4x4 5.3 (190,000 miles and going strong) 1980 Buick Lesabre family heirloom with 36,000 miles 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit 2 door I5-2.5 5spd DD lease Quote:
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08-02-2008, 05:01 PM | #12 |
Drives: (black 2SS Camaro), Suzuki SX4 Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Poland
Posts: 204
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Guys, gas is not the way to go.
Yes, it's popular here in Europe. Yes, it's money saver - but you still have to burn gas:gasoline in about 50:50 relation. Besides that it's a PITA. Takes up space in trunk. You can't drive into some parkings under the roof (most parkings by shopping centres in the middle of cities). It's still not very safe (we're talking about pressurized flammable and explosive gas). Every-year technical diagnostics of your car (mandatory in some european countries) is FEW TIMES more expensive if car has gas installation. Gas installation has reached in Europe the reputation of "cheapskate" way of saving on one's car, and starts to be tolerated only amongst cars that are extensively used - like taxi cabs or company cars. Just try and suggest a European with a powerful (or sports or luxury) car that he adds a gas installation to his car. He'd treat your arse like he treats his gas pedal Seriously, don't try it I'm waiting for electric and hydrogen-powered cars though. I don't know how 6th gen Camaro will look like, but I'm sure it won't be gasoline-powered |
08-02-2008, 08:02 PM | #13 |
Moderator.ca
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I've driven in a car converted to use cng, it drove normally and it had a gasoline reserve. But there are better uses for methane than burning it in our cars, such as for 'on demand' power plants and heating homes.
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