Frequently Asked Questions

How much do the vehicles cost?

Please refer to the US Dept. of Energy ‘Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicle Data Center’ website for more detailed information on specific, current vehicle costs.

Where are CNG stations located in our area?

Please click here for an up to date list.

Do I get better gas mileage?

NGV tanks are sized in "gallons of gasoline equivalent" (GGE). NGVs get the same mileage per GGE as gasoline powered vehicles get per gallon of gasoline (i.e., a Honda Civic GX with an 8 GGE tank will get the same gas mileage and distance as a gasoline powered Honda with an 8 gallon gasoline fuel tank.) However, based on current natural gas prices being lower than gasoline, fuel cost savings should be considerable in operating a natural gas vehicle over a gasoline powered automobile.

Can I retrofit my current vehicle?

Yes, retrofitting kits are available. Please click here for more information.

Is using CNG to power my vehicle safe?

When used as an automobile fuel, compressed natural gas is stored onboard vehicles in tanks that meet stringent safety requirements. Natural gas fuel systems are "sealed," which prevents spills or evaporative losses. Even if a leak occurred, the natural gas would dissipate into the atmosphere – unlike gasoline, which in the event of a leak or accident, pools on the ground and creates a fire hazard. In addition, natural gas has a higher ignition temperature than gasoline, about 1,200° Fahrenheit, compared with about 600° Fahrenheit. And, natural gas is not toxic or corrosive and will not contaminate ground water.

Is using CNG better for the environment than using gasoline/diesel?

In terms of environmental comparisons, CNG can produce up to 90 percent fewer emissions than traditional gasoline based fuels. As an example, the Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition estimates that in refuse truck fleets that have switched to CNG from diesel fuel, each truck converted is equivalent to removing 300 new cars from the road.

Is CNG readily available?

Natural gas powers more than ten million vehicles on the road today. Unfortunately, only 150,000 of these are being used today in the U.S. The average growth rate in the U.S. shows a 3.7 percent rise per year since 2000, as contrasted with a booming global growth rate of 30.6 percent per year. Expanding the numbers of CNG fueling stations would allow for the increase of CNG vehicles on U.S. roads. There are 12,000 stations around the world, yet the U.S. claims about 1,100. More stations will continue to be built in the US in the coming years.

What is SJG’s involvement with CNG?

As a company, we’re excited to think about the role natural gas could and should play as a reliable, cost effective and environmentally friendly vehicle fuel source in the years to come. We have recently partnered with the ACUA and the AC Jitney Association on CNG projects. We’ve also committed to integrating CNG vehicles into our fleet beginning in 2011. Additionally, we are currently planning for the construction of our own CNG refueling facility for public and private use in the near future. And, we have been recently successful in establishing a Natural Gas Vehicle tariff, which should help to stimulate the CNG vehicle market in South Jersey. Moving forward, we will help to further Natural Gas Vehicle initiatives in South Jersey and throughout the state.

Who can I contact for more information about transitioning my business or personal vehicles to CNG?

Please contact Todd Gordon, SJG’s Manager of Commercial and Industrial Energy Efficiency at (609) 561-9000, ext. 4217 or tgordon@sjindustries.com.