STATE OF KNOWLEDGE OF ENVIRONMENT CONCERNS RELATED TO NATURAL GAS-FUELED VEHICLES

Vehicles powered by natural gas (NG) are currently used in the United States and other parts of the world. While the number of such vehicles in the U.S. is small, the potential exists for substantial growth. For that reason and because NG-fueled vehicles have different performance, emissions, and safety characteristics than do gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles, this study was conducted to document environmental concerns related to NG vehicles. The more significant conclusions of the study are related to NG vehicle emissions and safety. Compared to gasoline-fueled vehicles, NG-fueled vheicles emit significantly less CO, more total HC, and less nonmethane HC; NO/sub x/ emissions can be higher or lower. In addition, dual-fuel vehicles operating on gasoline may emit higher levels of pollutants than the baseline gasoline vehicles. In regard to safety, NG-fueled vehicles have been found to have increased risks relative to gasoline-fueled vehicles in some cases, but to be relatively safe in other cases. No nationally recognized safety regulations or standards exist for NG vehicles, although the National Fire Protection Association is now developing a set of standards. (ERA citation 09:040483)

• Corporate Authors:

  Argonne National Laboratory

  9700 South Cass Avenue
  Argonne, IL  United States  60439
• Authors:
  • Singh, Mohit Kumar
• Publication Date: 1984-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 64 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Carbon monoxide; Diesel fuels; Environmental impacts; Exhaust gases; Gasoline; Hydrocarbons; Motor vehicles; Natural gas; Nitric oxide; Nitrogen oxides; Safety
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment; I10: Economics and Administration;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00391767
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: ANL/CNSV-TM-138
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 1985 12:00AM