More Reasons To Convert To Natural Gas

Jim O’Connor, Retired CEO and Chairman of Republic Services, the nation’s second-largest waste services provider, shares his views on CNG-fueled vehicles.

The refuse industry has been the frontrunner in this race for several years and for good reason. Natural gas allows our trucks to operate cleaner while they clean the communities they serve, reducing smog-causing emissions by more than 80% and greenhouse-gas emissions by more than 20% over traditional diesel-powered vehicles.

Refuse trucks built with natural-gas engines are also up to 90% quieter than their diesel counterparts, meaning calmer streets throughout our neighborhoods, a more peaceful sleep for our urban communities and protection from the risk of hearing loss among workers.

While natural-gas vehicles do require a higher initial investment today of $35,000 to $40,000 for a heavy-duty truck equipped with a 12-liter engine, it can be quickly recouped when you consider that natural gas costs, on average, approximately one-third less than conventional diesel at the pump. Depending on the market, the savings can be $1.50 per gallon, meaning the upfront costs can be recouped as quickly as a little more than a year.

In addition, natural-gas trucks don’t require diesel particulate filters or selective catalytic reduction, making the cost advantage that much clearer. And we can anticipate the costs to drop precipitously as technology continues to develop and the list of users keeps getting longer, as it did for refuse trucks by 50% after the initial 9-liter natural-gas engine was introduced in 2007.