What Price Performance?

The U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory has tested several NG vehicles, including a popular OEM vehicle, the Dodge B2500 van. Performance results show a modest reduction compared to the gasoline model. The 1999 model tested used carbon-fibre wrapped steel cylinders holding 75 litre equivalents of natural gas at 3600 psi. Cylinders were installed below the load floor for no loss of useable cargo volume; the Ram B2500 NGV delivered a range of 300 to 500 km per fill. The Ram van tested was fitted with a 5.2L V-8 engine and four-speed automatic transmission.