About 674 public CNG stations serve a U.S. natural gas vehicle fleet that is mostly trucks, buses and fleet vans. The passenger cars are almost all used Honda Civic GX and Civic Natural Gas sedans, plus bi-fuel pickups from a short window between 2013 and 2016. New heavy trucks with Cummins natural gas engines are the growth market, which is why 84% of public stations can take a Class 8 tractor.
The three kinds of natural gas vehicle
| Type | How it works | Typical examples |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated CNG | Runs only on natural gas. Spark-ignition engine tuned for methane's 130-octane rating. No gasoline tank. | Honda Civic GX / Civic Natural Gas, Cummins-powered transit buses and refuse trucks, Class 8 tractors with ISX12N or X15N engines |
| Bi-fuel | Two separate fuel systems; the engine runs on CNG or gasoline, switching automatically or with a dash button. Gasoline range stays intact. | Ford F-150 and Super Duty with the gaseous-prep package, Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD and Impala bi-fuel, Ram 2500 CNG, most light-duty conversions |
| Dual-fuel | A diesel engine that mixes natural gas into the intake and uses a small diesel injection to ignite it. Runs on diesel alone if the gas runs out. | Aftermarket heavy-duty systems on existing diesel tractors; rare in light-duty |
Dedicated and bi-fuel vehicles are what you will meet at a public station. Dual-fuel is a fleet retrofit and is mentioned here only so the term does not confuse you.
Cars and light-duty
Read CNG cars for every natural gas sedan sold in the U.S., what the Civic GX is like to live with, and the tank checks that decide whether a used one is a bargain or a liability.
Trucks, buses and heavy-duty
Read CNG trucks for the Class 8 tractors, refuse and transit fleets that use most of the natural gas sold in this country, plus the factory bi-fuel pickups and vans you can still find used.
Converting a vehicle
Read CNG conversion for how certified kits work, what they cost, why the EPA and CARB rules matter, and the cylinder inspection schedule every converted vehicle must follow.
Why anyone bothers
- Fuel cost. CNG has sold for less than gasoline and diesel on an energy basis in nearly every DOE price report since the reports began. The price guide has the dated figures.
- Domestic supply and stable pricing. Natural gas prices move with the U.S. gas market, not with crude oil, so CNG at the pump has been steadier than gasoline.
- Emissions. Natural gas engines cut particulates and, with renewable natural gas, can drive lifecycle carbon well below diesel. The RNG guide explains what the badge means.
- Quiet engines. Spark-ignition natural gas engines are markedly quieter than diesels, which is why refuse fleets in dense cities were early adopters.
The catch is the station network: 674 public sites versus well over 100,000 gasoline stations. That is why the rest of this site exists.
FAQ
What is a natural gas vehicle?
A natural gas vehicle (NGV) is a car, truck or bus with an engine that burns compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) instead of, or alongside, gasoline or diesel. Dedicated NGVs run only on natural gas; bi-fuel vehicles carry both a gasoline tank and a CNG tank and switch between them.
Can you still buy a new CNG car in the United States?
Not from a major manufacturer. Honda ended the Civic Natural Gas after the 2015 model year and the bi-fuel pickups from Ford, GM and Ram ended their factory programs by 2016. New light-duty NGVs today are built by certified upfitters on a gaseous-prep chassis, mostly for fleets. Heavy trucks are a different story: Cummins natural gas engines are available in new Freightliner, Kenworth and Peterbilt tractors.
How far can a CNG vehicle go on a fill?
A Honda Civic GX carries about 8 gasoline gallon equivalents and goes roughly 200 to 250 miles. A bi-fuel pickup adds 100 to 150 miles of CNG range on top of its gasoline range. A Class 8 tractor with a 100 to 175 diesel gallon equivalent package covers 500 to 900 miles between fills.
Is a used CNG car a good buy?
It can be, if you live near a public station and check the tank. CNG cylinders carry an expiration date, typically 15 to 20 years from manufacture, and must be inspected every 3 years or 36,000 miles. A Civic GX with an expired or uninspected tank cannot legally be filled, and replacing the tank can cost more than the car is worth.