Compressed

Higher natural gas prices, even three or four times above current low levels, shouldn’t hinder the switch by transportation fleets to compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural gas (LNG), an executive said last week. However, higher natural gas production doesn’t guarantee that natural gas vehicle (NGV) infrastructure is a given, and the high cost of vehicles continues to be a deterrent, according to a new report.

Higher natural gas prices, even three or four times above current low levels, won’t harm the switch of fleets to compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquefied natural Gas (LNG) for transportation, according to a supplier of natural gas for transportation.

Snack king Frito-Lay North America said last week it will add 67 compressed natural gas (CNG) tractor-trailers to its fleet vehicle system, which operates in seven U.S. cities, by the middle of July, while recycling/waste hauler Waste Pro USA made a $100 million commitment to natural gas-fueled vehicles and fueling infrastructure.

Florida-based Waste Pro USA has committed to a $100 million program to develop a network of compressed natural gas (CNG) refuse hauling trucks and the fueling stations to support them. It is working to transform a portion of its fleet from diesel to CNG. As part of that longer term effort, the recycling and disposal company said Clean Energy Fuels Corp. would build and operate a CNG fueling station at Waste Pro’s headquarters in Fort Pierce, FL, to support the company’s growing fleet. Permits have been obtained, and the facility is scheduled to be in operation by 3Q2012. About 150 heavy-duty CNG-fueled waste collection and recycling trucks are to be deployed to serve residential and commercial customers. Waste Pro operates in 70 locations in Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, North Carolina, Louisiana and Mississippi.

Snack-king Frito-Lay North America said Tuesday it plans to add 67 compressed natural gas (CNG) tractor-trailers to its fleet vehicle system, which operates in seven U.S. cities, by the middle of July. The company is testing 18 trucks with 8.9-liter Cummins Westport engines.

General Motors (GM) said Tuesday its upcoming compressed natural gas (CNG) bifuel pickup trucks will carry an $11,000 price above the base sticker price for similar gasoline or diesel fueled trucks, but it said the extended-range vehicles will offer a three-to-five year payback on lower fuel and operating costs compared to gasoline and diesel models.

Compressed natural gas (CNG) gained more fans along the East Coast last week, while the use of CNG vehicles by a major rental car operator also was launched.

Hertz Corp. Wednesday said it will begin in May offering compressed natural gas (CNG) rental vehicles at the Oklahoma City airport. Chesapeake Energy Corp. helped the nation’s car rental giant make the announcement of its pilot program.

General Motors expects the 650-mile, extended-range workhorse vehicles will be on the road by the end of the year.