Title: Component cost analysis for compressed natural gas vehicles
Abstract: Used of compressed natural gas (CNG) fuel in engine applications dominated by gasoline and diesel fuels has well-known advantages. It is a clean-burning, low-cost fuel available from domestic sources. In addition, a pipeline-distribution infrastructure already exists in the United States. Although the cost of converting a small number of gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicles for CNG use is generally known, no estimates have been published for the cost of producing a large number of these vehicles. Only the costs of converting or producing gasoline vehicles able to operate on dual fuels -- gasoline and CNG -- were considered in this study. Cost estimates of the various components needed to convert light-duty gasoline vehicles to dual-fuel vehicles were obtained and consolidated under the following three categories: CNG cylinders, interface kits, and installation labor. An economies-of-scale model was used to fit the data gathered from the various sources, and total cost premium curves were generated for the production of CNG vehicles. The results indicate that, at production levels of 50,000 to 100,000 units, a cost premium of $600 to $800 per vehicle would be incurred. 21 refs., 9 figs., 4 tabs.