More choices in alternative-fuel pickup trucks

Four states inked a one-of-kind memorandum of understanding (MOU) in November 2011 designed to spur multi-state joint requests for proposal (RFPs) to aggregate annual procurements of natural gas vehicles (NGVs) for their fleets. Meanwhile, two industry trends have suddenly dovetailed nicely to place natural gas-powered pickup trucks in a whole new light.

The first centers on the higher cost of diesel engines with the new selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emission control systems that meet stringent federal exhaust emission rules for diesel-powered trucks. Now, the cost of a diesel-powered truck is close to natural gas models without any government subsidies.

The other is better range. By early spring, OEMs added a whole new twist to the natural gas picture — rolling out bio-fuel pickups capable of running on both compressed natural gas (CNG) and gasoline, thereby eliminating long-standing concerns over range.


Read the entire story in American City & County, our sister publication.