The Little Speed Bumps That Can Derail Natural Gas Vehicle Projects

Lower Providence Township is a small Pennsylvania community located just outside King of Prussia and less than 20 miles from Philadelphia. For some time now, township officials have been eyeing natural gas as a potential fuel for their municipal fleet.

In terms of fuel availability for natural gas vehicles (NGVs), the area is a relatively good one. Natural gas utility PECO operates two public-access compressed natural gas (CNG) facilities in Berwyn (to the southwest) and Plymouth Meeting (to the southeast), and Lehigh Gas supplies CNG at an Exxon station in King of Prussia.

These three fast-fill stations are all within about 10 miles of Lower Providence. That kind of proximity to CNG would be a dream come true for a number of fleets that are getting crushed by $4.25/gallon diesel. Or for yours truly, based in Connecticut, who will pay about $4.09/gallon for gasoline when he fills up this afternoon and makes his 35-mile commute.

But 10 miles isn't close enough to make switching to NGVs cost-competitive for Lower Providence. Read more here.