Cheap fuel for our cars still a dream for most of us
24.05.12
Natural gas may be all the rage in the energy industry, but not when it comes to your car.
Vast supplies of domestic natural gas, unlocked by advances in drilling technology, have pushed down prices for the resource to their lowest levels in 10 years, providing a boost to those who argue for its use as a substitute for gasoline in consumer vehicles.
Meantime, gasoline prices are on the rise, reaching a national average Wednesday of $3.86 for a gallon of regular and $3.80 in Houston, according to AAA.
Natural Gas Vehicles for America estimates drivers could save more than the equivalent of $1.50 a gallon by switching to compressed natural gas for their commuter fuel, a change that requires a new car or a vehicle conversion.
But when it comes to making natural gas an attractive option for consumers, two key challenges remain: A dearth of cars and of refueling stations.
The effort to change that has been slow, the result of a "classic chicken and egg problem" between those who sell natural gas and companies that could produce cars to run on it, said Tiffany Groode , director of the automotive scenarios service for IHS Cambridge Energy Research Associates .
Source: Houston Chronicle
Liquor minnows join forces in battle of the bottle-oh
24.05.12
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Source: Brisbane Times
