| The race is on to find suitable | | | | comprised of methane. The global supply |
| replacement fuels for the planet's | | | | is quite substantial at this point, and |
| rapidly dwindling petroleum reserves. | | | | the U.S. even produces quite a bit of it |
| One of the easiest and most cost | | | | domestically. It must first be |
| effective alternatives is compressed | | | | processed, removing impurities and other |
| natural gas which is produced | | | | fuels like propane that can be used to |
| domestically, and is far less of a | | | | fulfill other fuel needs. |
| pollutant than regular gasoline. It can | | | | In order for it to be useful, the gas |
| be used in your average, every day | | | | has to be pressurized over 200 times the |
| combustion engine and it is the least | | | | normal atmospheric pressure. This is |
| expensive of all the other alternative | | | | done by storing it in large, bulky tanks |
| fuels out there, making it worthy of | | | | which are usually affixed to the bottom |
| examination. Some vehicles, for example | | | | of the vehicle, or inside the trunk. In |
| certain airport shuttles, already use | | | | order to actually use natural gas in |
| this kind of fuel, and have for many | | | | your car, you'll have to modify your |
| years. Presently there are approximately | | | | vehicle, requiring an initial investment |
| 150,000 vehicles on American roads that | | | | to make it a viable option. Buying a new |
| use CNG, and over 7 million vehicles | | | | CNG car will run you several thousand |
| worldwide. | | | | dollars more than a similar car that |
| The world's cleanest running internal | | | | runs only on regular petrol. And then |
| combustion vehicle, the Honda Civic GX, | | | | there is the issue of trying to find CNG |
| runs on compressed natural gas. This | | | | stations in your area. |
| amazing car can drive from coast to | | | | The biggest problem is that like oil, |
| coast and produce less non-methane | | | | natural gas is a non-renewable resource |
| hydrocarbons than what is contained in a | | | | and is not a viable permanent solution |
| single teaspoon of regular gasoline. | | | | for the planet's fuel needs. Another |
| Another benefit of compressed natural | | | | concern is that a great deal of natural |
| gas is that in the even there is a | | | | gas produced in our country is already |
| spill, it quickly dissipates in to the | | | | spoken for and used by consumers for |
| air, rather than spilling all over the | | | | things other than automobiles. In order |
| ground or leaking in to the water. | | | | to fulfill the U.S. fuel requirements, |
| Natural gas is found underground with | | | | we will still have to rely primarily on |
| petroleum and is also retrieved through | | | | foreign production. |
| drilling. The majority of it is | | | | |