One of the newest forms of alternative fuel to hit the market is the natural gas powered vehicle. This car runs similar to a standard gasoline powered car, but with a few modifications. This car comes with many advantages in regards to the environment, economy, and overall wellbeing of the automobile itself. But being that it is still a natural resource it does come with several disadvantages as well.

Natural gas cars run similar to a standard gasoline car, with a few modifications. To understand these modifications, it is necessary to understand the science behind natural gas itself. Natural gas is similar to oil, in that it comes from dead and decaying organisms, but is different in that it takes on a vapor form. It is mainly comprised of methane and saturated carbons, making it combustible and useful for powering automobiles.

Natural gas cars run similar to a standard gasoline car in that the fuel is mixed with air in the cylinder of the engine and is ignited causing combustion to push the pistons up and down. However, knowing that natural gas is a volatile form and not a solid, it is necessary to have a few changes in the design of the vehicle in order to drive the pistons.

The first main change is the fuel tank. The fuel tank is a combination of three lightweight cylinders called a ISSs, Integrated Storage Systems. Because these cylinders are high pressure and are generally found on the rear or top of the bottom of the car, they are place inside a fiberglass shell and impact-absorbing foam to protect them from a crash.

The next major change in a natural gas car is found within the engine. When the engine is started the natural gas runs from the fuel tank into a fuel line, which then enters a regulator where its pressure is greatly lowered. From here it travels through the fuel-injection system and goes into the engine cylinders.

Using this high tech alternative fuel has many advantages in the areas of environment, economy, and automobile integrity.

To begin with, natural gas powered vehicles greatly lower atmospheric emissions in carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and reactive hydrocarbons. This is helpful when trying to beat global warming.

Economically speaking, combating inflation, the price of natural gas is lower than the price of standard gasoline. Also, the price of natural gas has been relatively the same over the years and will most likely be the same in the future, so it is easy to plan out money accordingly for things like retirement.

Lastly, natural gas cars may last longer than standard gasoline cars. To begin with the fuel tanks on natural gas cars are built stronger than standard gas cars and are less likely to rupture as a result. Also, because natural gas burns so efficiently the engine is less likely to exhibit wear and the time between oil changes and tune ups is decreased.

Despite the many advantages of using a natural gas vehicle, it still comes with several disadvantages especially in the areas of environment, automobile design, and refueling.

The first major drawback to natural gas powered cars is that they still run on fossil fuels. Just like standard gasoline, natural gas is a nonrenewable natural resource. Converting from oil to natural gas does not alleviate the problem of conserving natural resources, it only adds to it.

When it comes to design, there seems to be two main setbacks. The first setback has to do with seating configuration in the car. Because the natural gas car has to find room for the three fuel tank cylinders, the luxury of seating space is cut short. Second, the natural gas powered car gets less miles between refueling than a standard gas car does.

Lastly, there is only a limited number of natural gas refueling stations at the present within the United States. Even when a station is found it can take up to six hours to refuel the car. This makes it extremely inconvenient in owning and operating a natural gas powered car.