RV Fuel Issues & Prices - Post 'Em Here!

cekkk wrote:
CamperD, I don't understand why we aren't pushing NG cars instead of electrics.

well, I wouldn't say I'm pushing anything, I've just personally drank the electric Kool Aid and think that's the way to go for me personally. CNG is still using a natural resource. Electric can be re-fueled by renewable sources if one chooses to.

The technology is not only there, but reasonably tested on buses and fleet cars for years. I would think the problems you mention could be quickly overcome, whereas with electric, two huge problems remain, i.e., poor batteries and lack of generating capacity should their numbers increase substantially.

Well, you summed up one of my problems with CNG right there! It is viable, and has been around basically unchanged and fully mature since the mid 90's (did you know that Dodge sold a CNG powered minivan in 1994?) The fact that there is so little interest from the corporate/government world yet means there never will be. It is a passed over technology. Electrics are in their infancy, there is a LOT of room for improvement in the upcoming years, and at the moment there is interest and some momentum for them. Yes, electric cars have been around since the 70's too, but recent battery developments and the pace at which they are improving is unprecedented.

First they ignore you. Then they mock you. Then they fight you, then you win.

I believe we are somewhere between the mocking and fighting stage with electric, so we are getting closer to the win. :B

What can you say as to current state of safeguards say in a rear-end collision?

I can say they crash test as well as any car. CNG is actually quite safe, even if a tank were to burst (highly unlikely) it will just dissipate into the air, unlike gasoline which sits on the ground and burns.