The Ethanol Papers - Paperturn manuscript - Flipbook - Page 84
of propane dealers located throughout the country, in virtually every city and
town).
CNG and PROPANE VEHICLES
The prime requisite to make No New Gasoline-Powered Vehicles By 2014 a
reality is vehicles that can reliably use an alternative fuel source. Unbeknownst
to a great many Americans is that most if not all major automakers already produce vehicles that use CNG and/or propane, and they’ve been doing so for
years. The list includes GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Perhaps even more surprising
is that many of the models, including Honda’s Civic GX are manufactured in
North America. So obviously the technology is proven and the car companies
know how to make them.
Unfortunately, nearly all CNG and propane cars are shipped overseas, and the
domestic producers of these vehicles are extremely reluctant to increase or shift
allocation to their fellow Americans. While no one from the car companies will
give you a straight answer as to why this is true, in light of the burgeoning U.S.
demand for these vehicles, it seems to me they don’t want to disrupt the efforts
they’ve been expending to introduce forthcoming gasoline/electric hybrid or
electric fuel-cell models. Consequently, we’re left in the lurch while under-used
production facilities, that could be building more CNG and propane vehicles,
are laying off American workers. A flood of phone calls, emails, faxes, and letters may help.
A CLOSER DETAILED LOOK AT PROPANE AS A VEHICLE FUEL
SOURCE
As I noted above, I had the opportunity to talk with one of the propane industry’s
leaders, Roy W. Willis of the Propane Education & Research Council. The complete conversation can be watched by clicking on the two images below.
