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Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr
Resale value seems to be more critical, but since most of those dedicated-CNG engines fitted to heavy commercial vehicles (including buses) still share some components with their Diesel counterparts it might remain cost-effective for some operators.
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I did a little more poking around last night and found a pretty good 2020 report by San Bernardino on 202 natural gas trucks purchased by Ryder leasing.
https://ww2.energy.ca.gov/2020public...0-2020-122.pdf
The upcharge for a CNG truck is about $50,000. That is a big upfront cost to make back in fuel savings though the savings are significant:
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"One main benefit of natural gas for commercial trucking fleets is its low and stable price relative to conventional transportation fuels. At the two LCNG stations constructed and operated by Ryder, fuel prices during the project period in 2012 and 2013 were at $2.57 per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE) for CNG, and $2.79 per DGE for LNG. Diesel fuel prices in California were around $4.18 per gallon, providing a cost advantage of about $1.50 per DGE for both fuels."
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CNG trucks are also signifigantly heavier than diesel trucks with similar range. From Transport Topics:
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One significant drawback to a CNG fuel system is the added weight of tanks. AJR Trucking specified tanks that hold the equivalent of 167 gallons of diesel, giving the new tractors a range of about 700 miles. The tankage adds 4,200 pounds to the weight of each tractor.
UPS also experienced a weight gain on tractors using CNG. But in addition to the 2,500-pound increase, day-cab tractors with a CNG fuel system require a second drive axle to accommodate the weight. The fleet can operate single-drive-axle tractors when liquefied natural gas (LNG) is used because that fuel system is not as heavy.
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